New Befrienders join FOTF

 In 5 to 13 year olds, News and events, Volunteering

Friends of the Family has welcomed three new befrienders to our 5s to 13s Befriending service. Evonne, Andy and Jackie attended their two day training last week where they covered essential topics that will support them in their befriending role. These included boundaries, confidentiality, issues that children maybe facing and the role of the befriender. They also heard first hand about the befriending role from a current volunteer, Carmel, who shared what she has enjoyed most about supporting the young people she has been matched to over the past three years.

The volunteers also participated in an active listening and communication session, led by a well being consultant, Kevin Knight who had them thinking very carefully about their abilities to listen with some simple but very effective mirroring and reflecting exercises. They were also provided with a comprehensive introduction to Safeguarding Children by our Safeguarding Trustee, Claudia Dickens and discovered how the crucial it is to recognise the barriers to safeguarding and how to overcome them in order to keep children safe. Once the befrienders’ DBS certificates are issued the new volunteers will be then be ready to be matched to their focus child who has been referred for support.