Befriend a Child is represented by Karen Farquhar in Aberdeen Bravo.

Befriend a Child
9 Bon Accord Square
Aberdeen
AB11 6DJ

01224 210 060

www.befriendachild.org.uk

Turning Frowns Upside Down

Befriend A Child is Scotland's oldest befriending organisation for children. Since 1975 we have provided 1:1 support and friendship to vulnerable and disadvantaged children and young people in Aberdeen. Despite the image of Aberdeen as an oil-rich city, there still exists deep pockets of deprivation and among those suffering the most as a result, are our children.

Our befriending service provides a little ray of sunshine to youngsters who may never have travelled in a car; have no concept of how to eat with a knife and fork; have never seen the sea - despite Aberdeen being a coastal city - and have no idea what lies beyond the city boundaries. In many cases these children have very troubled home lives as the offspring of drug and alcohol abusers, single parent families or adults with emotional and/or physical problems.

But we are there for them to provide positive adult role models, promote their education and welfare and offer a few hours of comfort away from their difficult and stressful lives.

Some Key Facts

• During the year ending March 10 - 173 volunteers actively befriended children.
• In this period we supported 167 children.
• Since the year 2000 we have supported 1181 children in Aberdeen.
• We have a waiting list of 38 children, who need our help.
• It costs BAC an average of £2300 per year to support each child - the national average is £2800.

Our Objectives

• Increase the self confidence and self esteem of young people
• Increase the opportunities for young people to learn
• Provide young people with a greater sense of happiness
• Raise awareness of personal health and hygiene among young people
• Improve and develop the social and life skills of young people

Communities Where We Are Active

Our Achievements

• Queen's Award For Voluntary Service in 2006
• Approved Service Provider With Befriending Network Scotland Since 2006
• Approved Service Provider for Aberdeen City Council Social Work
• Accredited By Investors In Volunteers In 2008

C's Story

10 year old C stays with his mum in a sparse, poorly maintained flat. Mum is on a methadone programme and suffers from depression and as a result, C lacks self esteem and confidence and has very few personal belongings. He rarely speaks about his home life and will only discuss what he has done at school. He loves to go swimming but because of his low self esteem he thinks he is no good at it.

Befriend A Child have matched C with a befriender who takes him swimming whenever possible. By offering him lots of praise and encouragement, C's self esteem is growing and now he has the confidence to try new activities.