The toolkit to be developed within the FRIEND project has the ambitious goal of reducing the isolation and social exclusion of people over 65 through the development of a training programme which aims at the empowerment of seniors by promoting a strengthening of their social skills and coping strategies. Having good social relations is an important protective factor and a key element in promoting a person’s general well-being.

The FRIEND Toolkit consists of:

• The FRIEND blended experiential training programme aimed at older people to improve their social skills and more functional coping strategies in order to increase their social circle, improve existing relationships and reduce the risk of social isolation. The programme consists of face-to-face sessions, online materials and a methodological guide also containing a report on the need analysis that guided the development of the programme.
• A training programme dedicated to professionals and volunteers to provide them with the necessary skills, competences and tools to implement the FRIEND programme in their organisational contexts.
• A best practice guideline to help organisations and training centres sustain the implementation of the programme in the long term.