Butterfly Trust

Cystic Fibrosis is a progressive, life limiting genetically inherited condition with 1 in 25 people
carrying the faulty gene that causes the condition. There is currently no cure for Cystic Fibrosis.
The Butterfly Trust is the leading provider of social support to the Cystic Fibrosis community of
Scotland. We were founded in 2002 to provide face to face services for people with Cystic Fibrosis
and their families. Our aim is that people living with Cystic Fibrosis will have access to the support
they need to ensure they can benefit from optimum homecare and enjoy the best quality of life in
the community.


Current opportunities

Our mentors offer crucial support to young adults with Cystic Fibrosis in improving socialisation, broadening horizons and exploring concerns to improve self-esteem, enhance coping skills and the person's quality of life. Young adults living with this condition have a demanding daily treatment regime at home and sometimes experience limitations that can affect their confidence and ability to cope with the challenges of everyday living. They may also be socially isolated because of their condition. A mentor will meet with a young adult regularly (every 2-3 weeks) to build a trusting one-to-one relationship allowing the person to explore their feelings, discuss their aspirations and grow life skills, to support them in achieving goals or just giving them someone to talk to. This opportunity also gives the mentor the chance to expand their own experience and enhance their life skills. The young adult will live within a reasonable distance of the mentor, who may sometimes take them in their car to an activity or environment away from home. A commitment of at least a year is sought - this will allow the young adult time, space and a suitable environment to explore their feelings, discuss their fears, develop life skills and grow in the areas where they may be struggling. A good mentor will have excellent listening skills, patience, reliability and an adaptable attitude. Understanding of the need for confidentiality and adhering to Trust policies.

Befriending is a fantastic and rewarding way to make a real difference to the life of someone else. Apart from the personal satisfaction of helping someone, it is also an opportunity to enhance your own life experience and build new skills. Befrienders MUST have held a full driving licence for at least 2 years and have the use of a smoke free car. A minimum commitment of 1 year is needed to ensure these goals can be met. Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a life limiting condition that currently affects around 1200 people in Scotland. The Butterfly Trust aspires to improving the quality of life for people affected by Cystic Fibrosis by providing support, promoting people's rights and helping them to live independently. Our befrienders offer one to one face-to-face support to a young person aged 8 to 18, who has Cystic Fibrosis. Young people living with this condition have a demanding daily treatment regime at home and sometimes experience limitations that can affect their confidence and ability to cope with the challenges of everyday living. They may also be socially isolated because of their condition. A befriender will meet with the young person for around 3 hours every 1 to 2 weeks, away from the home environment, to build a trusting one to one relationship. A session might simply be an opportunity to chat, eg over a snack or coffee, or may involve a specific activity such as sport or creative/arts. This will allow the young person space and a suitable environment to explore their feelings, discuss their fears, develop life skills and grow in the areas where they may be struggling. Desirable qualities required include good listening skills, patience and an adaptable attitude. Training and support is provided; and expenses reimbursed. After applying you will be asked to complete an application form and to meet with us for a short informal interview. Befrienders will then attend an induction event (expenses paid) and the trust will acquire PVG clearance on their behalf, before being paired up with an appropriate client in the Glasgow area, within a reasonable distance from your home.