What do Befrienders do?

• They provide opportunities for young people to engage in activities e.g. swimming, football, cinema, coffee and a chat, walking, crafts etc.
• Befrienders make a commitment to meet a young person once a week/fortnight for a period of approximately 2 hours.

What are the benefits of being a volunteer befriender?

• Befriending can give you structure and a purpose in life, by meeting up and supporting a young person.
• It provides you with the opportunity to spend time with a young person from our community and gives them the chance to chat openly about anything that is causing concern to them.
• Befriending provides you with an insight into what is important to the young people of today and keeps you active.

One of our befrienders sums up the befriending experience wonderfully –

“As someone who has completed a few hours a week for a few years I can tell you volunteering will also make a real difference to your life.

Being a Befriender has enriched my world and certainly given me hours and hours of pleasant experiences; enabling me to interact with young people in a positive way for them and myself.

You also have fun. A win-win situation.”

How to Become a Befriender

To become a befriender you must be:

• Able to attend a structured group training programme (6 sessions x 2 hours).
• Available for a minimum of six months once the match has been set up.
• Willing to spare a few hours per week/fortnight.
• Able to supply two references.
• Willing to give permission for a PVG check.