Scottish Parliament praises North Lanarkshire Befriending “tireless work turning around young lives”

Volunteering Matters North Lanarkshire Befriending Project volunteers were congratulated in a Holyrood Motion, tabled by Clare Adamson MSP, and supported by 11 MSPs.

The motion commends the “tireless work of the project’s dedicated volunteers” by empowering young people through support in developing social skills, encouraging school attendance and performance and building self-esteem. The project has been run in partnership with North Lanarkshire Council since 1999, and celebrates all its volunteers in a Motherwell celebration next week.

Volunteering Matters Chief Executive Oonagh Aitken said:  “This innovative and transformative project matches volunteers of all ages with vulnerable young people who might be experiencing problems at home or at school.

“Volunteer befrienders can help make positive changes to young people’s lives through support in developing social skills, encouraging school attendance and performance and building self-esteem. The programme is a cost-effective solution to young people’s isolation, lack of confidence and resilience and provides a relationship outside of the home/school environment which can make all the difference. To mark Volunteers’ Week (July 1-7) we are calling for all vulnerable young people in Scotland to have the support of a volunteer befriender.”

Volunteer Clare, said: “My experience of befriending was truly life changing and is something I will never forget, not only did my young person benefit from the time we spent together but I got so much out of it too.

“He had suffered bereavement and therefore found it difficult to find a way in which he could express his feelings. After our first few outings I realised that giving praise, reassurance and just simply listening, was making such a difference to his social skills and confidence”