Bfriend

Charity registered in Scotland SC020989

South Ayrshire Befriending Project (SABP) provides one to one befriending support for socially isolated young people affected by multiple disadvantage and adversities. Each year SABP supports approximately 45 young people living in South Ayrshire, ranging in age from 8 to 18 years. The main aim of befriending is to reduce the social isolation of the young people we support and improve their emotional wellbeing, confidence and self-esteem. A further aim is to ensure young people are included, listened to and that they feel valued. Collectively these aims ensure young people can develop the life skills necessary to become more resilient and better equipped to overcome adversity, thus improving their future life chances.


Current opportunities

The main aim of befriending is to reduce the social isolation of the young people we support, increase their confidence and self-esteem and ensure they are included and feel valued. Befrienders meet with the young person once a fortnight to support and encourage them to take part in activities in the community. In addition to one to one activities Bfriend offers regular group activities for young people and a youth group which is run with the help of the young people themselves. Group outings vary in nature, anything from a day out to the Farm park, to a beach clean to arts and crafts at the office – all are great fun and ensure the young people can meet with their peers in a safe and supportive environment. The Group Outing Assistant will: • Support staff with the smooth delivery of group activities. • Maintain a register of attendees during activities and oversee additional administrative tasks as and when required. • Organise and oversee resources and materials for the activity. • Set up and tidy up for the activity. • Assist with transport of young people and/or volunteers to and from the activity.

A group volunteer is someone who, after a period of training and assessment, will provide support to young people on a 1:1 basis or to the group as a whole at the Project’s group outings. Bfriend facilitates 12 group outings per year for socially isolated young people aged between 8 & 18, living in South Ayrshire. TASKS • To participate where possible in monthly group outings & volunteer support sessions and attend a minimum of 6 per year • To read the volunteer handbook and be aware of Bfriend's policies and procedures and adhere to them. • To comply with the team’s administrative procedures.

We're looking for an adult volunteer who will provide a supportive friendship for a socially isolated young person aged between 8 and 18 who lives in South Ayrshire. Ideally this will involve meeting with their young person every couple of weeks for a few hours, spending time together accessing local activities. This includes: • Be matched on a 1:1 basis with a young person. • Go on regular outings and activities with the young person. • Have the opportunity to participate in group outings/activities and also volunteer support sessions. • Keeping in touch with the Project about the young person’s achievements / growth and activities, and to receive ongoing support from the Bfriend team. • Open minded as we work with young people from a wide variety of backgrounds. • Following training, to be able to have empathy and understanding of some of the issues encountered by young people referred to the team. • Continuous focus on the needs of the young person who you are matched with. • Willing to participate in a broad range of activities mutually agreed with the young person. • To be a positive adult role model for the young person and, very importantly, to have FUN! • Have an awareness of and be able to adhere to Bfriend’s policies and procedures.