Befriending services
Sometimes all that children need is an adult they can trust. When your life is full of uncertainty, having that little bit of stability can be priceless.
Quarriers befriending services
At Quarriers, we know we can improve children's lives by dealing with their problems early on. So in 2009 we launched a Befriending Service for children whose parents have drug and alcohol problems. Funded by NHS Glasgow & Clyde Drug Action Team and Lloyds TSB Foundation Scotland, it focuses on developing children's talents and interests. Children who use the service have encountered real problems in their lives but respond incredibly well to befriending. They have discovered hidden talents and gain confidence.
How befriending works
The Quarriers befriending service matches children with an appropriate adult volunteer. They gradually get to know each other by meeting once a week. As their friendship develops, the focus shifts towards encouraging their interests and hobbies. Over time, the support they get from their befriender helps them to believe in their abilities. The aim is to divert the child away from developing the same addictions as their parents and so far it's working.
Training to be a befriender
Training to be a befriender is easy. All befriending volunteers are screened rigorously by Quarriers before being fully trained in what to expect and how to deal with difficult situations. Once you've become a befriender your progress will be reviewed monthly. The only thing we ask is that you must commit to befriend for at least a year. Please remember that the children we befriend are used to adults letting them down. We don't want to let them down again.
Referral to the befriending service
The children who use Quarriers befriending service are usually referred by a health visitor or social worker. Sometimes their family may already be using some of our services, like counselling, support groups or the nursery. Using the befriending service is voluntary. So a child has to want to be befriended and they need to gel with their befriender. But when it works it can work wonders.
At Quarriers, we've been blown away by the quality of people who give up their free time to volunteer. We hope that, with sustained funding and a steady stream of suitable volunteers, we can continue to change lives well into the future. Contact us to begin befriending now.
