Membership Spotlight highlights the work of our member organisations and outlines how other individuals and NGOs can support them. We are shining a light on Befriending Networks. Join them in celebrating Befriending Week from Friday 1st November 2024 to Thursday 7th November 2024.

“Did you know that in Scotland….”

As CEO of Befriending Network one of my most frequently asked questions is “oh befriending is just for older people, right?” Wrong. There is a stereotype that befriending is for older people who are lonely and who live alone. This is a myth. At Befriending Networks we embrace, support and celebrate befriending in all its diversity.

I love exploring Scotland and one of my favourite Instagram accounts is outdoor exploration influencer Chris Lawlor. Chris starts much of his content with “Did you know that in Scotland…” before showing followers something amazing and often very close to home! So I thought I’d take a gallop from north to south to explore just some of the children and young people’s brilliant befriending services in Scotland.

• Did you know that in Shetland…Shetland Befriending Scheme supports young people 16+ with a befriender if they are living in their own tenancy, have limited support networks, and would benefit from engagement with their community to increase connections and reduce feelings of loneliness?
• Did you know that in Aberdeen Befriend a Child has provided 1:1 befriending for 50 years and each year they support 250 children who are experiencing difficult life circumstances?
• Did you know that in Lothian and Forth Valley, Aberlour matches mums who are experiencing anxiety, depression and isolation after their baby is born with a trained volunteer befriender to offer practical and emotional support?
• Did you know that in Edinburgh, Big Hearts Befriending provides befrienders to children and young people aged 5-16 who are living in kinship care?
• Did you know that in West Lothian, Integr8 Befriending provides trusted adults to spend quality time with young people who are not involved in any social or recreational activities?
• Did you know that in Dumfries, D&G Befriending Project take referrals from social work, education and health for young people 8-18 who need extra support to take part activities that promote their health and wellbeing?  

Tomorrow is the start of Befriending Week. An opportunity to raise the profile of the befriending sector, to recognise excellent befriending projects, and to thank thousands of brilliant befrienders. Children and young people’s befriending makes a meaningful contribution to the children’s rights landscape in Scotland. Befriending is rights-respecting and a rights-promoting intervention. Here are a few of the rights that are realised through all befriending matches:

• The matching process between volunteer befriender and the child: “article 3: any decisions must consider what is best for me.”
• Person centred activities reflective of the needs and interests of the child “article 13: I have the right to express myself”
• Creating opportunities for socialising and friendships to develop “article 15: I have the right to meet with friends and join groups”
• Providing support in challenging times “article 29: I have the right to reach my full potential”
• Bringing enjoyment and fun to children “article 31: I have the right to relax, play and take part in cultural activities”
• Providing safe services: “article 36: I have the right to be kept safe from harm.”

If you would like to learn more about Children and Young People’s Befriending please join us for our next free online networking event on 13^th November 12:30-13:30 which will be co-hosted by Befriending Networks and NSPCC Childline Building Connections Befriending Service.

Befriending Week is taking place 1-7^th November and you can get involved online with #BefriendingWeek and #BrilliantBefriender

About the author:
Susan Hunter is CEO of Befriending Networks. In September she was elected to be the Chairperson at Together the Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights. Susan has a background in youth work, membership organisations, and is an experienced third sector leader. She is an external trustee of Girlguiding Scotland and a member trustee of Together (Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights).

Befriending Networks are members of Together:

“As a member, we benefit from the leadership and expertise that the staff at Together provide to the sector on all aspects of children’s human rights. We particularly welcome their policy briefings, policy influencing activities, and the annual state of children’s rights report. As a membership organisation ourselves, we understand the value of connecting with other organisations for peer support and understanding of shared experiences.”

All organisations included in this blog hold the Quality in Befriending Award from Befriending Networks. If you are a funder or a befriending organisation and would like to learn more about the award visit our website.

Sign-Up and Become a Together Member (Individual or Organisational)

• Would you like to find out further information about joining Together’s Membership?  Then visit our website page ‘Become a Member’ for further information.
• Are you a Together organisational member and would like to collaborate for a Membership Spotlight? Email: caitlin@togetherscotland.org.uk

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