Overview
Volunteer to support children and young people in care in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
What is a befriender?
A befriender is someone who volunteers to support children and young people, acting as a trusted adult and a listening ear. Befrienders are independent from social services and all other agencies. Children and young people can talk to them about anything they want. A befriender’s role is to listen. You’ll be a consistent, positive, encouraging role model in the child or young person’s life, so we ask you to make a long-term commitment to be a befriender – usually a minimum of two years. You can do fun things together or try something new – whatever the young person wants.
How does it work? The service is for children and young people in care aged 5 to 17. When you volunteer as a befriender, we’ll match you with a young person. Sometimes, this might take us a little while. It’s important that we make sure the young person is comfortable with and gets on with their befriender. Once you’ve been matched, you’ll meet once a month, at a time and place that suits you both. The young person can opt out at any point if they decide that they no longer want a befriender. The support you’ll offer will be confidential. You should only pass on information the young person shares with you:
- if they ask you to
- if you think the young person or someone else is in danger
- if you’re worried that a crime has happened or may happen.
Get in touch
To find out more about how to volunteer with Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Befrienders, please call 0808 196 8422 | 07756 268640.
nottinghambefrienders@childrenssociety.org.uk
Service Manager: Michelle Brown,