The overall aim of this article is to explore literature based on the befriending and mentoring relationships and evaluate the evidence base for this topic. The literature reviewed focuses on different aspects of the mentoring relationship and takes into account perspectives from all parties involved (i.e. mentor, mentee, family, service managers etc.).
Whilst searching from literature, the term ‘Befriending’ yielded no relevant results. However, befriending and mentoring coexist on the same spectrum and often befriending relationships develop into mentoring relationships. The role of a befriender is to provide informal social support (The Mentoring and Befriending Foundation, 2006). The transition from befriending to mentoring occurs when the befriender works with the befriendee to achieve personal goals or ambitions (The Scottish mentoring Network, 2009). Therefore, similar terms such as ‘mentoring’ and ‘support’ were used when searching for literature to increase the relevance of the results.