Volunteer Befriender

Dumfries and Galloway Befriending Project
VO105499

The Project offers young people experiencing challenges at home, school or in the community, the opportunity of extra support and regular positive adult attention.
Having a befriender can help the young person tackle personal challenges, introduce them to new activities and promote their health and wellbeing. The young people benefit from the energy and enthusiasm of their befrienders and improve their confidence while forming a positive relationship with a supportive adult.
Coordinators in Dumfries and Wigtownshire carefully match the young person with a volunteer and support the match by arranging regular and frequent meetings.
Who are the young people?
They live in Dumfries & Galloway.
They are aged 8 – 18 years old.
They are referred to the Project by Social Services, Education, Health, other agencies or by a friend/relative.
They may be requiring support at school, at home or in the community.
They may need a break from day-to-day pressures, someone to talk to or the opportunity to undertake new experiences.
Who are the Befrienders?
They are responsible, trustworthy, reliable, caring and friendly adults living within Dumfries & Galloway, who want to make a real difference in the community.
They are people from all walks of life, and of all ages, with some time on their hands to improve the young person’s ability to deal with life’s challenges.
They are adults who would like to make a positive difference in a young person’s life.

Experience required

Responsible, reliable, trustworthy, caring and friendly.
Someone with a few hours spare a week who is passionate about working with young people.

Travel details

Coordinators will meet volunteers at a location that is suitable for them.
We have offices in Dumfries and Newton Stewart but work across the whole region.