The North Lanarkshire Befriending Project support vulnerable young people in the local area through one to one outings. With social isolation, inequality and child poverty on the rise, the need for befrienders to help a child see the light at the end of the tunnel is higher than ever.
Volunteers give a young person a positive role model in their life by passing on their skills and experience, enabling them to try new things and simply providing them with a few hours of fun. A victim of circumstance, your young person may have experienced social isolation, bullying, domestic abuse or neglect, parental drug and alcohol abuse, may have learning difficulties, may be a young offender, or any combination of these. By giving up just a couple of hours every week or fortnight, you could make a real difference where it is needed most.
VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS
- Must commit to contact with young person at least once every 2 weeks for 12 months
- Must attend training, delivered in 4 x 4 hour blocks
- Must apply to PVG (protecting vulnerable groups) scheme (handled and paid for by the project)
- No qualifications or experience needed, however interest and enthusiasm for working with children essential
- Must be at least 18 years of age (although you can complete training when 17)
WHAT WE PROVIDE
As a volunteer you’ll receive:
- 16 hours of training as well as other on-going training, social events and support.
- All out of pocket expenses for outings
- Access to other training and development opportunities within the sector
- Excellent ‘real world’ experience in the social care/health/education/youth work sectors
- A certificate of your achievement after 12 months
- A reference from staff after 6 months’ commitment
Apply now