I moved to Leamington Spa in 2014, before which I lived in Leicester where I was involved with an organisation called YOT’s (Youth Offending Team). I was a volunteer for 7 years, working 1-2-1 with teenagers who were on their final warning with the police. There were set objectives that needed to be fulfilled during the pairing – mainly helping the young person understand how their offence affects them, their families and the wider ripple effect. The kids were usually frustrated with the situation they were in, so giving them the opportunity and a safe space to talk was really helpful for the kids I supported. So, when I moved to Leamington I found The Friendship Project, and I instantly wanted to be involved with such a fantastic organisation.
Following my initial interview and relevant checks, Fiona Roche, the Area Coordinator for my district, contacted me and talked me through 3-4 Younger Friends’ details. I think M was the 3rd case she ran through with me, and there was just something that caught my attention about M.
Our first meeting was arranged at M’s Primary School, which is where I met M’s mum & M for the first time.
They came across as a lovely family. M was quiet & a little shy. We agreed our first outing for the following week. The type of friendship was very different to what I’d previously done, so I was a little unsure of how the outing would go.
Our first trip out, was to St Nicholas Park to feed the ducks on the river. As I was fairly new to the area I wasn’t sure of the route from M’s house to the park. As it turned out, my lack of knowledge of the area & getting lost was a huge source of amusement for M, and a great ice breaker!
Over the last 10 years we’ve been to lots of places, including Tamworth Sky Centre for the Christmas Party! We got lost, and we were the last to arrive! Another time we met another Older Friend in St Nicholas Park as we were meeting them to go the Warwick Boat Club for a squash taster session. I didn’t know that there were 2 mini golf courses at the park, and true to form we were at the wrong mini golf, so we were late again! The Older Friend we were meeting, Geoff, was very understanding when we finally found him in the park.
As M got older they would navigate the route to our destinations using a mobile phone. Which I like to think has taught them a great life skill! We’ve done so much during our time together – we ran a 1 mile colour run, which lead us to complete Couch to 5k. We’ve baked cakes, swam, walked in the rain, fallen over in the mud, played snap in Costa coffee until closing time, carved pumpkins, been to the dungeons at Warwick Castle and climbed to the top of the turret of the castle. We’ve explored, been pen pals during lock down………. the list is endless!
I think the most life-changing experience for M that The Friendship Project has enabled them to experience is music, specifically learning to play the piano and more recently learning to play the drums at Top of The Rock drum studio in Warwick. This has given M the confidence to make friends with people who play in a band. They write songs and sing too. M wants to become a music teacher and is in college studying art which hopefully will enable them to gain access to a level 3 music course.
We have been to a gig at the O2 in London to see Billie Eilish, and watched the Arctic Monkeys perform at the Ricoh Arena. M also attended the concert by Fiona Roche’s Sing it Loud choir. M was fascinated by the performance & had never seen an orchestra play before. They were blown away by all of the instruments, especially the harp. Without the support from The Friendship Project, M would not have been able to access these opportunities, and realise their dream of becoming a music teacher.
Although our Friendship Project time ended as M is now 17, we are still in contact. They get the bus to my house after college sometimes. M wants to learn how to cook, so whilst I’m finishing up my working day, M bakes a cake & then we cook dinner. M’s next lesson is learning how to wash up!
I’d like to thank everyone at The Friendship Project for allowing me to be part of the charity, it has brought much joy into my life, just as much as I have been able to give.
