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What is bfriends?
bfriends has over 20 years experience in providing befriending services
to children and young people. Adult volunteers befriend children and young
people on a one-to-one basis, with the support of a full-time project
development worker. The volunteer aims to help build the young person's
self-confidence and self-esteem, and to open up opportunities for personal
and social development. All the bfriends services use a child-centred and
anti-discriminatory approach.
What does bfriends do?
bfriends provides support and friendship to children and young people
aged 5-16 who are experiencing difficulties at home, school or in the
community. We can offer the young person a befriending service for a period
of 6 months to 2 years (occasionally longer), which includes:
- One-to-one visits on a weekly basis from an adult volunteer who has been selected, screened and trained.
- Access to a well-equipped resource base where young people and volunteers can play, talk, and enjoy a wide variety of activities together.
- Regular one-to-one outings designed around the young person's needs and interests.
- Social and recreational group outings and activities for the young person and their volunteer.
- Ongoing support for the matching from a full-time project development worker, who liaises with the parent/carer, referrer, and other relevant agencies to ensure that the young person's needs are being met.
Why is bfriends important?
bfriends volunteers develop supportive one-to-one relationships with some of the most isolated and
vulnerable young people in Edinburgh, East Lothian and North Ayrshire, giving them access to positive experiences and
opportunities that many young people take for granted.
The young person and their volunteer decide together what they will do each week. Each service has a resource
base where volunteers and young people can meet to play games, cook, do arts and crafts, read or listen to
music. We also encourage them to access opportunities in the community and to take part in organised group
activities.
bfriends is one of the first services in Scotland to achieve the approved provider standards for mentoring
and befriending. This means that we are nationally recognised for our safe and effective practice in providing
befriending services to children and young people.
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About
bfriends
