Ayr SNP MSP Siobhian Brown is calling on locals aged 18 and over to sign up to become befrienders.
This comes after she attended the Big Befriending Brunch event, hosted by Bfriend Ayr. The charity is dedicated to reducing isolation and supporting young people in need through befriending services. The event provided an opportunity for the community to come together and hear firsthand about the transformative work being done by the charity and find out how they can make a difference.
The Big Befriending Brunch marked the charity’s first community event, showcasing its mission to recruit volunteers and offer compassionate companionship to young people who may be struggling with loneliness or isolation. The event featured a host of activities for the young people including face painting, games and arts and crafts.
Local MSP Siobhian Brown has praised the charity’s work, highlighting the importance of community support and the positive impact befriending can have on individuals’ mental health and well-being.
Commenting the Ayr politician said:
"I was delighted to be invited along to celebrate the outstanding work of Bfriend Ayr. This charity’s dedication to tackling loneliness in young people, whilst building connections within our community is truly inspiring. I would involve anyone with any free time to get involved. Befriending can make such a difference to a child’s life.
“It's charities like these that strengthen the fabric of our society and ensure no one is left behind. I strongly encourage anyone interested in making a difference to consider volunteering and being a part of this life-changing work."
Bfriend Project Coordinator, Lorna Mitchell said:
“Bfriend is rooted in South Ayrshire with volunteer befrienders giving their time, passion, and dedication to support young people, to have new experiences and opportunities. We are thrilled to have so many people from our community joining us to celebrate Bfriend.
“This Big Befriending Brunch was supported by a fund administered by UKSE which our youth committee, Beyou applied for. The young people in Beyou were also instrumental in the design of the event, from the musical bingo to what was served for brunch! We are immensely proud of them and those from our community who continue to give us their time to be a befriender.”
Befriender Emily went on to say:
“Befriending means so much to me. It’s about giving back to the community, supporting a young person to try new activities and opportunities whilst having lots of fun together along the way. It's rewarding to see the young person achieve their targets and flourish whilst boosting their self-confidence and self-esteem.”
The charity is currently recruiting volunteers aged 18 and over to support its growing efforts, and those interested are encouraged to get in touch today to begin their befriending journey.
