Young People

Information on Youth Befriending Volunteering

If you’d like to help young people in our community, here’s how you can do just that with our full support.

Can you be one of our Befriending Volunteers?

If you’re looking for a rewarding experience then volunteer with us! With a friendly team of knowledgeable people to support you, you’ll also receive bespoke training to help you make the most of your befriending activity. 

To be the right kind of volunteer for this service you need to be aged 18 or over. It’s super important that you’re passionate and committed to helping support vulnerable young people - and just to let you know we’ll also require two references and will need to carry out a PVG check.

We offer 2 opportunities for volunteer befrienders: One-to-One and Group.

young people hand shake with a youth volunteer

There are lots of reasons to become a befriender

Supporting young people in your community

Supporting young people in your community

Gaining valuable work and life experience

Supporting your studies with direct learning

Supporting your studies with direct learning

one-to-one-young-people-support-east-lothian

One-to-one Befriending

One-to-one befriending takes place out in the community. As a volunteer you’ll be asked to commit 2-3 hours per week of your time, though where and when you go is decided by you and your match - so there’s plenty of scope to organise something ideal. Outing timings can be flexible when you need them to be, and we can help by providing ideas and inspiration for activities you can both enjoy.

youth-group-befriending-walk-summer-holidays

Group Befriending

Group activities take place in school holidays and are always planned with the help of the young people within the befriending service. These activities give each young person the chance to grow in confidence, feel motivated and learn social skills to help them make new friends while they’re having fun!