“Doing something good with your time makes you feel good”

Volunteer Befriender, Laura

Today we’re putting the spotlight on our new Befriending Project in Fife. Project Coordinator, Louise Andree has been taking referrals from Fife’s social work department, local community organisations, as well as some self-referrals since the beginning of the year. The growing waiting list for the project is testament to the obvious need for befriending services in Fife to help tackle social isolation and loneliness.
 
Louise is recruiting and training volunteers to meet this demand and has made some successful matches already. The first volunteer to come on board was Laura, who has been supporting her befriendee since May. Here she talks about what led her to get involved with Lead Scotland as a volunteer and what her experience has been like so far:

“I found myself for the first time in years in a settled and content period of my life, work was going great, my relationship was amazing and I had an amazing group of friends and family around me. Having been through hard times, when you look back and reflect it inspires a lot of emotions – one of which for me was how lucky I am. Lucky to have come out of the other side and beyond lucky to have had the people I had around me who were always there.

I wanted to give something back in some way because I was in the thankful position where I could, this is when I came across the work that Lead Scotland carry out.

I’ve been working with Lead for a couple of months now and thoroughly enjoyed it, my befriendee is lovely and we have a lot in common, we share lengthy and easy conversation and I genuinely enjoy spending time with her! A part of me thought there would be more of a job type feel to my visits with my friend but it isn’t at all – it is a pleasure. I also don’t think there is any shame in admitting that doing something good with your time also makes you feel good about yourself and has increased my confidence!

I have felt nothing but supported by Louise, who is always checking I am ok and comfortable. I would not hesitate to pick up the phone to her should I need anything.

I am looking forward to a long relationship with Lead and am excited about the interesting people I am yet to meet.”

If you would like to find out more about volunteering with Lead as a Befriender in Fife then get in touch with Louise Andree on 07950 771 875 or landree@lead.org.uk

Additionally if you are interested in finding out more about our other learner volunteering opportunities in Fife, Perth & Kinross, Dundee, Moray, Aberdeenshire or North Lanarkshire then call our head office on 0131 228 9441.