The impact of befriending and peer support on family carers of people living with dementia: A mixed methods study.

•Whilst little measurable impact on emotional health and loneliness from the outcome scales was found, carers described talking to the volunteers and sharing their feelings as valuable. This led them to feel emotionally supported, enabled them to cope with difficult situations and to continue caring.•Quantitative results showed statistically significant improvements in perceived social support from a significant other. This was corroborated by the qualitative findings, with carers reporting they were no longer socially isolated and felt supported by the volunteers.•The development of successful befriending and peer support relationships was often facilitated by the similarity of the carers’ and volunteers’ characteristics and the shared experience of caring.