Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action News - May 2021

12 AVA | May 2021
AVA Member
Spotlight|
Befriend A Child
Hannah Adams
Befriend A Child
Befriend A Child are a charity who offer 1:1,
group befriending, mentoring programmes
and projects to children growing up in
difficult life circumstances across Aberdeen
City and Aberdeenshire.
We match children and young people referred
to us with trained volunteer befrienders
and mentors who act as positive adult role
models, enjoying regular outings with the aim
of increasing the children’s confidence, selfesteem,
helping them learn new skills and
ultimately show them more of what life has to
offer.
Volunteer befrienders and mentors wanted
Since the beginning of the pandemic, we
have seen referrals to our programmes spike
by 48% with more young people than ever
before in need of a befriender or mentor and
we are currently recruiting volunteers to join
us in changing the lives of local children and
young people.
We are looking for volunteer befrienders and
mentors who can bring enthusiasm, fun and
stability to the life of a local child or young
person through regular outings and activities.
Volunteers can apply individually or as a
couple and aren’t required to have worked
with children before as full training and regular
support is given from the experienced staff
team.
‘Our role is to provide the child with a friend,
an adult they can trust and learn from, but the
friendship goes both ways. I’m as excited for
outings as my befriendee, and I look forward
to the days when we go out. I’m always eager
to hear what they’ve been up to and what
new things they’ve tried, and they’re happy to
teach me and get me to try these things.’ - Siobhan
Caughey, Volunteer Befriender, Befriend a Child.
Following training and a PVG certification, volunteers
are asked to give a minimum commitment of one
year to the young person they are matched with.
Volunteer befrienders spend 2-3 hours a fortnight
with their befriendee and mentors spend 2-3 hours
each week with their mentee.
‘We would love to hear from individuals and
couples who want to make a real difference to
the life of a local young person, to help build
skills, nurture interests, discover new experiences
together and to offer a safe space allowing for
growth and development for the young person and
yourself,’ – Aleisha Douglas, intandem Mentoring
Coordinator, Befriend A Child. Enquire about
volunteering with Befriend A Child by emailing
volunteer@befriendachild.org.uk.
Fundraise for Befriend A Child
If you are interested in taking on a fundraising
challenge or hearing more about our upcoming
fundraising events we would be delighted to
hear from you, please contact Bethany Hogg on
bethany@befriendachild.org.uk for more information
on how your funds can help Befriend A Child.