About

Our story

What is D&G Befriending Project?

““To enable our young people to develop, promoting health and wellbeing, whilst also improving their ability to form positive relationships.”

Our funding is gratefully received from a variety of sources, including D&G Council, Holywood Trust, Third Sector D&G, The RS MacDonald Charitable Trust, The National Lottery Community Fund, Tesco, Screwfix, The Royal Caledonian Charities Trust, Cash For Kids, NHS D&G, BBC Children in Need, ANCBC – to name but a few. We are also supported by donations and fundraisers.

Dumfries & Galloway Befriending Project (DGBP) is a local charity, founded in 1997. Registered Charity Number SC024562

2024 - onwards and upwards

2024 is a year in which we have seen another management change with the Management Committee being delighted to announce the appointment of Robin Ferguson as Project Manager.

The last year has yet again demonstrated the positive impact that our charity has on the development of young people aged 8 – 18 years across the region, with an increase in referrals, undoubtedly due to our partners’ understanding of what we deliver, together with positive testimonials about our one-to-one matching process and the difference that ‘early intervention’ has made to enrich the life of our young people from the young person, their family and referrers.

This year we have recruited 14 volunteer befrienders, who all bring different personal skills to the charity. We thank them for giving up their time to support us in making a positive contribution to the development of our young people.

2022 - 25th Anniversary Celebrated

2022 was our 25^th Anniversary and a celebration was enjoyed in September to mark the occasion. We regained our Quality in Befriending Excellence Award from Befriending Networks, confirming what a high-quality service is being delivered to the young people of Dumfries and Galloway. We also achieved the Investing In Volunteers (IiV) certification for the second time (June 2022 to June 2026).

2021 - another year dominated by impact of Covid-19

When guidelines permitted, more face-to-face interaction took place and a number of group activities were enjoyed. Training of more befrienders was reintroduced and an additional Volunteer Coordinator was employed to help meet the growing demand for our service.

2020 - year of the ‘lockdown’ and the ‘boom in zoom’

This year was dominated by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic which meant regulations and guidelines meant no group events took place. Invaluable one-to-one support continued with befrienders finding creative ways to stay connected with their young person. The AGM was a virtual one held on Zoom.

2019 - ‘Investing in Volunteers’ Award – and many upgrades

Obtained the nationally recognised ‘Investing in Volunteers’ award for the first time – and renewal accreditation of the ‘Quality in Befriending Excellence’ award – both valid until summer of 2022. Online banking fully established and IT, telephony and server all fully upgraded. Kitchen, used well by befrienders and young people, totally refurbished.

2018 - Queen's Award for Voluntary Service and more

Recipients of The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, recognised as the MBE for voluntary groups. Recruited a new Volunteer Co-ordinator (18 hrs) to allow the Project to grow by 25% by having the capacity to support another 12/13 young people. Launched this brand new website! We were delighted and honoured to win the first ‘Holywood Trust Award’.

2017 - What a year

A very successful year. Became holders of the Quality in Befriending Excellence award, the highest nationally recognised award in befriending. Launched a new, bespoke Database system for the recording and evaluation of information and performance. Winners of D&G Third Sector VOSCAR 2017 in the Children & Young People category. Winner of D&G Life Award 2017 ‘Voluntary Group / Charity of the Year’ as well as overall winner of the ‘Outstanding Contribution to D&G 2017’ award.

2016 - QiB

We obtained re-accreditation of the Quality in Befriending award.

2015 - D&G Life Awards

We were delighted to be one of four finalists in the D&G Life Awards 2015 Voluntary Group / Charity of the Year category.

2014 - Change of location

Following the sale of Mount St Michael, moved into new office premises at 19 Bank Street, Dumfries. The legal status of the Project changed from an unincorporated organisation to a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO).

2013 - QiB

The Project was delighted to achieve the Quality in Befriending award from Befriending Networks.

2012 - Dumfries office change of location

Change of location we moved into new offices within Mount St Michael, Dumfries, opened by Lord-Lieutenant Mrs Jean Tulloch.

2010 – Volunteer Coordinator Appointed in Stranraer

Less than 2 years later, in February 2010, the Management Committee appointed a Volunteer Coordinator based in Stranraer in fulfillment of the plan to provide a region-wide service

2008 – New Office in Newton Stewart

As the reputation and recognition of the work of the Project grew so did the demand for its services, to the extent that in June 2008 the Management Committee achieved the aim of opening the Newton Stewart office.

2000 – Management Committee Runs Operations

Initially the management agency was Community Service Volunteers (CSV) whose experience and expertise was instrumental in establishing the policies and procedures and laying a firm foundation for the development of the Project. On 1st September 2000 the management committee assumed direct operational control.

The initial Project worked within a 30-mile radius from Dumfries and gradually increased the geographic area and number of volunteers and staff.

Over the years Funding has been received from a large number of sources besides BBC Children in Need, with the Local Authority providing significant support for the Project.

1997 – Project Launched

In 1997, the committee was successful in gaining charitable status and in their application for funding from BBC Children in Need. The Project was offered office premises by the Holywood Trust in Dumfries. A Project Coordinator and Administrative Assistant were appointed and the Project was launched in September 1997. The first volunteer befrienders were then trained and matched with young people by December of that year.

Early 1990’s – Concern for Vulnerable Young People

In the early 1990’s two members of the Children’s Panel became concerned by the lack of resources for vulnerable young people in Dumfries and Galloway, and decided to initiate a Befriending Project. With encouragement from members of the Social Work Department and the The Holywood Trust, a Management Committee was formed to establish the Project and seek funding.

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