Finding a Suitable Online Friend

After completing the friendship training, you can fill out an online friend profile card. Here, you can describe yourself and your interests to the extent you feel comfortable. You can also specify preferences regarding your online friend’s age and gender. Friend suggestions are based on profile compatibility, so feel free to describe your interests in detail. You can update your profile later in OMA Red Cross.

You will receive a friend suggestion via email from the address verkkoystava@redcross.fi. You have the option to decline a suggestion and wait for a more suitable match. Please note that if the person requesting a friend is underage, the Red Cross is required to conduct a background check. This will only be done with the volunteer’s consent. Once both the volunteer and the individual seeking a friend have accepted the match, the individual’s contact details will be shared with the volunteer, who will initiate contact.

Starting the Friendship

When you begin communicating with your friend, it’s best to agree in the first exchange on how often you will be in touch. Typically, friends write to each other every 1–2 weeks, though some may prefer less frequent, longer email exchanges. To facilitate finding common topics, ask early on about your friend’s wishes and expectations for the friendship. You might also want to share a bit about your messaging style and even your sense of humor, as misunderstandings can sometimes arise with text-based communication.

Maintaining the Friendship

A common challenge in online friendships is a slowdown in conversation or the friendship staying superficial. However, it’s worth persevering through initial uncertainties, as getting to know someone online takes time. You can ask your friend directly if there are specific themes they’d like to discuss or if they find the messaging frequency suitable. Many individuals in the online friendship program face challenges with energy levels or limitations in functioning, so responses may take longer than expected or be brief. Nonetheless, volunteer messages are often eagerly awaited, so if you haven’t received a reply, consider sending another message. You may also directly ask your friend how they feel about the friendship and whether they want to continue. As life situations change, the need for an online friend may also shift.

Shared Experiences Bring Friends Closer

Even though communication occurs online, friends can still enjoy various activities together. Shared experiences often deepen friendships, and the volunteer friend can play a significant role in encouraging and supporting their friend to try new things. Here are a few ideas for things to do together online:

• Talking through video or voice calls
• Sharing photos, e.g., of pets, hobbies, or nature
• Exchanging recipes
• Reading the same book and discussing it
• Watching the same movie or show and discussing it
• Playing online games together
• Exploring a friendship-themed Spotify playlist and discussing favorite songs; you can suggest new songs for the list by emailing the coordinator. Friends who enjoy music can also create a shared playlist where both can add their favorite songs.

For younger friends, we especially recommend using the Friendship Skills programme as a discussion resource. At the bottom of this page, you’ll also find a list of conversation topics to explore together.