Information for Parents and Carers
Good News! We can take referrals again so have a look and see if we look like the support that the young person in your household needs.
Befriending – what’s it all about?
YPBS can provide support to the young person in your household by matching them with a Volunteer Befriender who will pick them up each week, go and share an activity with them in the community, then bring them home. Our Support Worker will work with your young person and you to find out what kind of Volunteer Befriender would suit then look for the right person. This can take a while but the Support Worker will keep in touch and we’ll be as quick as we can. Once we’ve found a match that everyone is happy with, weekly visits will be arranged to suit your young person, the Befriender and your household. We ask that an adult is present at the start and finish of each visit. Your Support Worker will visit every 3 months to check that everything is going well but if you have questions or issues you can contact them when you need to.
YPBS also supports the whole family by letting you know about other services and supports so let us know if we can help.
Here’s what some other parents and carers have said about YPBS
“His confidence has been lifted and he is a different boy. He talks more and he’s better settled at school. The befriender is perfect.” Shona’s son is 9 and has been matched since April 2024
“Gerry (Support Worker) is brilliant – he’s been supporting my family for many years and my son’s befriender Marie is lovely. He’s having a great time.” ~ Ann’s son is 9 and has been matched since May 2024.
“The support we were given was life changing, we were in a really bad period but the service lifted us and gave the children spaces to relax, have fun and forget their worries.” ~ 2 of Kate’s children are currently matched with befrienders
“Joe loves seeing his befriender every week and the match has been perfect for him. The Support worker always kept in touch and took Joe out while he waited to be matched so we always felt part of the service, thank you so much. ~ Linda’s son is 15 and has been matched since Nov 2021
“Thank you – I’m blown away. You’ve made our Christmas. Please thank the wonderful kind man (Derek, our Support Worker) that delivered the Farmfoods voucher to us.” ~ Fiona’s daughter is 11 and is awaiting a new befriender.
Family FAQs
What’s the difference between Befriending and Mentoring?
Befriending and Mentoring are services that initiate and support relationships between 2 people primarily designed to provide benefit and opportunity to one of the people. Mentoring is more likely to encourage that person to identify goals that they want to achieve while Befriending is largely about the relationship itself. Our Befriending and Mentoring for Young People supports the setting and achievement of goals but if what’s wanted is a positive, consistent relationship then that’s fine too.
Is it a confidential service?
Information about young people and their families remains confidential within our Service unless the safety or wellbeing of a young person is at risk. This applies to information given at referral, during visits with a volunteer or time spent with Support Workers.
How do you make sure that children and young people are safe?
Volunteer Glasgow is committed to safeguarding the welfare of all children and young people. We recognise our responsibility to take all reasonable steps to promote safe practice and to protect children from harm, risk of harm, abuse and exploitation. We work with families to protect children and young people. We recruit staff and volunteers very carefully, vetting rigorously and supervising throughout their engagement with us.
How long does it last?
Befriending and Mentoring visits last between 2 and 3 hours but if they ought to be shorter at the start of a match to let a young person get to know their volunteer then that’s fine. Matches will last for as long as the young person, the volunteer and Volunteer Glasgow are happy and able to continue. We try to make sure that when a match is coming to an end everyone concerned knows what’s happening and has the chance to ask questions about it.
Who pays for befriending and mentoring?
Our Services are funded by a number of grant making organisations so there is no cost to young people, families or volunteers.
Get in touch
Other questions? Please call 0141 226 3431, email befriending@volunteerglasgow, or complete the short message form below.
We’d love to hear from you.
