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If we were to recieve extra money, it would allow us to create additional befriendin...
Improving Lives - A befriending project
Glasgow, Glasgow City, United Kingdom
Aim
Help us reduce isolation by supporting our free befriending service which provides in-person visits for isolated individuals(65+) in Glasgow
"It’s the difference between dropping into a depression, it came at the right time. I was starting to feel overwhelmed and lonely. When things opened up you were left behind. Befriending really raised the excitement and anticipation, feeling more positive. It definitely has helped." - Isobel (Service User, 2023)
We are offering a 12 week befriending service to service users in Glasgow aged 65+ who live alone and are socially isolated; living in deprived areas (SMID 0-40%).
They will build a relationship with one of our local volunteers and work towards becoming more connected to their community. Our volunteers will help service users to achieve their goals from being more digitally connected to going on a small walk.
The 1-2-1 match will allow the individual to build confidence and get support from our volunteer to engage with group sessions. Our volunteers(who are trained and supported) will encourage and support socially isolated people to get out and about and be connected with others and their community.
Service users will be also be able to join in-person local group sessions and virtual events. They can be accompanied by befrienders on public transport to allow them to attend the events local to them.
The in-person events will include:
Coffee and Chat sessions - meeting in local community spaces, having a cup of tea and a blether
Joining with local community groups to enjoy an event e.g. an afternoon tea with entertainment
Heritage themed activities including memory box sessions and reminiscing
Visits to local heritage sites, such as trips to Fairfield Heritage Museum and Moving Image Archive
The money raised through the crowdfunding campaign will be used to support 1-2-1 matches throughout Glasgow, cover transport costs, room hire and activity costs.
From June 2022-June 2023 our service users and volunteers participated in our heritage project "Every Life is a Story" giving them the opportunity to explore their heritage and reminisce. The project culminated with an exhibition at the Moving Image Archive at Kelvin Hall supported by a webapp(theno1befriendingagency.stqry.app ). A heritage film and two heritage books were created to ensure that the stories captured continue to be heard. Please view them here - www.befriend.org.uk/the-books
BA Better World Community Fund has provided £1,000 of match funding
Avios Donations has provided £210 of match funding
The British Airways Club has provided £210 of match funding
This project successfully funded on 7th September 2023