The inspirational impact of a charity’s remarkable volunteers has been praised by the young people whose lives they have helped enrich.
Moving stories of the connections made by Dumfries and Galloway Befriending Project (DGBP) have been shared as the organisation marked 25 years of making a positive difference.
Since September 1997, the charity has worked with 1,500 eight to 18-year-olds from Gretna to Stranraer, with its specially-trained volunteers spending more than 100,000 hours of quality time with those supported.
Their work involved listening, encouraging and having fun with them at a challenging time in their life, for a few hours every week.
It is simple but incredibly effective – frequently credited with not just providing someone new to talk to, but with boosting confidence and opening life-improving opportunities.
And the audience at DGBP’s anniversary celebrations were touched as some befrienders and volunteers took to the stage to describe the difference their relationships had made.
Among them were Dumfries pair Kimberley Tranter and Susan Stewart, who were matched for a time five years ago.
They told of how they bonded through a mutual love of food, which became a feature of most activities they enjoyed together.
Describing how she became involved in the project, Kimberley said: “I was quite mature for my age and, at that point, I couldn’t quite find the ground for making friends with people of my own age.
“I found that I needed to find my own friend group, who might not be the same age as me.
“I was 15 at the time and I was scared at first, though – just meeting someone new and trying to socialise. But as soon as I met Susan we really clicked and I really enjoyed our time together.”
Now aged 20 and a student at Dumfries and Galloway College, Kimberley also shared the difference that being befriended made, developing a trusting relationship not just with Susan, but with other young people involved in the project.
She said: “I realised you have to try and just be yourself and go with the flow. You don’t have to force yourself to do stuff just to try and fit in.”
Former primary school teacher Susan, 60, has befriended a number of young people over 12 years volunteering with the charity.
She said: “I enjoy being among young people. You learn from young people - what it’s like to be a young person and all of the things they’ve got going on in their lives. I got a lot from that.
“I’ve got to know lots of people through befriending - adults as well as young people. It’s a real community.”
Lord Lieutenant for Dumfriesshire, Fiona Armstrong, joined volunteers, staff, funders and other supporters for an anniversary celebration at The Usual Place in Dumfries.
She praised the charity’s “incredible” work as she congratulated all involved for the work they do.
DGBP manager Helen McAnespie said: “Our mission is to help enrich the lives of young people and we’re really thankful that we get to see that, time and again.
“It’s fantastic to see how those with whom we work have grown in confidence, creating more positive opportunities for them.”
Reflecting on the charity’s achievements over the past 25 years, its management committee chair, David Miller, described them as a “fantastic success story for Dumfries and Galloway”.
Dumfries and Galloway Befriending Project is looking for more volunteers to join its ranks.
For more information call 01387 247812 or email projectoffice@befriending.org.
