The first week of November marks Befriending Week, the national campaign celebrating the power of connection and friendship.
Befriend a Child, a local charity based in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, will dedicate the week to highlighting the incredible impact of its befriending programme and the people who make it possible.
Every month, Befriend a Child’s volunteer befrienders give their time to support children and young people who need a trusting friend, positive adult role model and someone they can have fun with. For many of these young people, life can be challenging, and they may face a number of difficulties such as social isolation, low confidence, suffering abuse and neglect or much more. Having a befriender to talk to, to share experiences with and to make special memories with can make all the difference. A few hours a month spent together can spark new confidence, new skills and new hope for the future.
Throughout 2024–25, 196 children have been befriended through Befriend a Child, with 57% of referrals coming from high-priority areas in Aberdeen. These numbers highlight not only the scale of need within our local communities, but also the need to recruit new volunteers so Befriend a Child can support even more children and young people. What’s more, 97% of volunteers who have befriended for more than four months have noticed increased confidence and self-esteem in their young person, showing the genuine, lasting impact of these relationships.
Jean Gordon, Head of Operations at Befriend a Child said: “Our volunteer befrienders are truly extraordinary. They give their time, energy and hearts to young people who need a positive, consistent adult role model. It’s about more than just support, it’s about having fun, building trust and creating special memories together. We see the difference it makes every day and the children who start to believe in themselves again, who smile more and who begin to see new possibilities for their future. That’s the real power of befriending.”
Befriend a Child are calling on people across the local community to consider volunteering as a befriender. You don’t need special qualifications, just kindness, patience and a genuine willingness to show up for a child who needs you. Befriend a Child will provide full training and ongoing support, and you’ll have the chance to see the real difference your time makes.
Befriend a Child also expresses a heartfelt thank you to every volunteer who gives their time, energy and dedication to helping transform the lives of children and young people growing up in challenging life situations. Because of you, children and young people are able to recognise their worth, create lasting memories and have a consistent person in their lives who always shows up for them.
If you are interested in befriending and would like to know more, you can reach out to the team at Befriend a Child at volunteer@befriendachild.org.uk or head to their website today at https://www.befriendachild.org.uk/how-we-help/befriending/