Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does it cost anything to come along to Bfriend?

A: No, Bfriend is a free, confidential service. We are funded by the South Australian Government's Department for Families and Communities and supported by UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide.

Q: Do I have to give my real name?

A: No, we understand the necessity for confidentiality, it is very important that you are in charge of who knows about your sexuality/gender identity. You can use any name you want.

Q: Do I have to come out?

A: Coming Out is a very personal decision and is best done when we have good, safe supports around us and is the best thing for us to be doing. For some people it may never be safe to come out, but we can still explore and express our sexuality/gender identity in the safest way possible.

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Q: What can I expect when I make contact with Bfriend?

A: People usually make contact with Bfriend via a phone call or email. You can expect a quick and respectful response, someone to listen to where you are up to in the exploration of your sexuality and an invitation to discuss this further with us in your own time.

Q: Is there a waiting list?

A: There is no waiting list. After we've had a chance to talk with each other and if you've decided that Bfriend offers the sort of support that would be helpful to you, it then depends on the availability of a suitable volunteer. It's hard to predict this, sometimes a volunteer is available quickly, within a few days or it may take longer than that. If there is a delay in being able to link you up, then the Project Worker will continue to offer support in the meantime.

Q: How will I meet the volunteer?

A: The Project Worker makes a convenient time to introduce you to a potential volunteer, usually face to face in a place that's comfortable for you. The Project Worker will go through the Bfriend Information Kit with you both and give you some time to speak together. It is important for us that you get the best out of Bfriend. If you don't feel like you 'click' with a volunteer we will find another volunteer. Our volunteers understand the importance of a good match up.

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Q: What if I don't get on with the person I am linked up with?

A: If you find that the link up isn't going well for whatever reason, let the Project Worker know and we will try and resolve any difficulty. If its clear that you would need a different volunteer, we will arrange that.

Q: What if I change my mind about the link up?

A: The early days of exploring our sexuality or gender identity can be a virtual roller coaster of emotion and experience. Sometimes people need to have a break from that to gather thoughts and see where they're up to. A link up can be put on hold or ended at any time with no problems about picking up the support at a later time if that is what you want.

Q: For how long can I get support?

A: Initially a link up is for 3 months, and this can be extended if both people want this, or a second volunteer can be recruited at the end of the first link up. People are also welcome to the monthly Bfriend workshops, and the groups that are run from time to time, as well as the opportunities for socialising. In general terms most people who come to Bfriend would keep a close connection with the project for a year and, having made their own connections, move more comfortably into the bits of the community that feel good for them.

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Q: What if I can't give you a contact number or address, will that make a difference?

A: We're very flexible about how we keep in touch with people. Email is good and quite confidential, but not everyone has access to this technology. We find ways to maintain contact that keep the newly identifying person feeling safe.

Q: Bfriend is based at UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide, does this mean I have to be a Christian to get help?

A: Bfriend is a programme of UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide but it is not a Christian project. We welcome people from all walks of life and respect all the different and individual ways we have of expressing who we are.

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If you have any other questions you can use the 'Contact Us' part of the website to email them through. We'll be happy to answer you.