Volunteering brings out the Community Spirit
Adding value to a young person’s life
The Friendship Project for Children has had a record number of new applications to volunteer with the Charity since March 2020. The Charity matches volunteers with local children in need, for a variety of reasons, for regular outings. COVID restrictions meant that friendships continued either online, via the phone or sending items in the post – it was essential to let the young person know their friends were thinking of them. Our main focus for the friendship is always on meeting up face to face – and our volunteers can also now be flexible and communicate with their friends in different ways.
A new volunteer Niki, commented: “I was introduced to the Friendship Project by one of my neighbours, who is also a volunteer. Having moved into the area exactly a year ago, it wasn’t easy to meet new people with Covid restrictions in place or to get out and about to explore. I found myself with some spare time and feeling a bit down with not feeling needed by my children anymore, so joining The Friendship Project was a perfect opportunity for me. It gave me the motivation to get out and about and find fun things for my Younger Friend and I to do together and most of all, it made me feel like I was adding value to someone else’s life. Being a parent myself, I know how hard it is to balance work and family life. I find it incredibly rewarding now being able to help another family out by giving them just a couple of hours of my time each week to offer their little one some extra much-needed 1-2-1 fun time”.
Angela Truman, Marketing Trustee for the Friendship Project commented: “It is great to see such community spirit to support local children and families in need. We always have a waiting list of children looking for volunteers willing to take out a young person for friendship and fun”.
If you would like to volunteer with The Friendship Project for Children visit https://friendshipproject.co.uk/about/how-you-can-help/ or follow them on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook @friendshipproj
About the Friendship Project
The Friendship Project for Children is a Warwickshire based charity supporting children aged between 6 and 16 across the county, who are in need of some extra support.
Founded in 1986, the charity matches ‘Younger Friends’ with ‘Older Friends’ who provide the children with regular fun, undivided attention and ongoing friendship for a few hours each week.
Often, the activities which they enjoy together are things the children wouldn’t otherwise get to experience. It can be as simple as a walk in the park or baking cakes together, or more of a treat like a trip to the cinema, swimming or wall climbing.
This simple concept has seen the children’s self-esteem grow and even improved their attainment and behaviour at school and in the home.
To date the charity has supported around 1500 children, who are all referred to the Friendship Project by children’s services.
For further information please contact Angela Truman, Marketing Trustee at the Friendship Project on 07813 159354 or email angela.truman@friendshipproject.co.uk
