Information Booklet *This booklet is available in alternative formats on request – Please contact office. WHO WE ARE The South Ayrshire Befriending Project (SABP) is a small locally run charity based in Ayr, which was established in 1996 when the need for a befriending service for young people with social or emotional difficulties within South Ayrshire was identified. SABP also extends to young people with learning difficulties or a diagnosed medical condition through our Buddies Project. SABP supports around 50 young people each year through the provision of 1:1 befriending and group activities. We receive funding from a variety of grant making bodies and trusts as well as private donations and a contribution from the local council. The Project’s full team consists of three part time Co-ordinators and one Project Assistant who oversee the daily running of SABP. It is managed by a Management Committee of volunteers with different professional backgrounds and their own specific remit within the Project. We also have advisors from the local council Social Work & HR Departments, Strathclyde Police and the Scottish Children’s Reporter’s Department. WHAT WE DO & FOR WHOM WE DO IT SABP provides supportive 1:1 befriending relationships for socially isolated and vulnerable young people aged between 8 and 18 years old who live in South Ayrshire, delivering a relevant, professional and needs led service. We aim to achieve individual outcomes for the young people we support (eg : reduction in isolation, increased confidence and resilience, improved well being) fitting well with the social policy goals set by both local and the Scottish Government. SABP recruits and trains adult volunteers (aged 18+) from South Ayrshire to befriend young people on a 1:1 basis. Befrienders are then matched for at least 6 months and a maximum of 2 years with a young person and are supported throughout by Project Co-ordinators. SABP provides a quality service and has been accredited with the national Volunteer Friendly Award & the new national befriending award QiB (Quality in Befriending) from Befriending Network at excellence level. These achievements ensure a consistent high quality service is provided by assessing key management and operational areas. AIMS & OBJECTIVES The primary aim of befriending is to enhance the quality of life for the young people we support by offering them the opportunity to form a trusting relationship with the adult befriender they are matched with. The Project works towards 4 main outcomes for its service users 1. Reduction of social isolation in young people supported by matching them with an adult befriender, offering them the opportunity to take part in a wide range of different activities locally. 2. Children & young people will have improved confidence and self esteem, acquiring the ability to actively make their own positive choices. They will be achieving and realising their potential, from involvement with the service. 3. Children & young people will be respected, and heard and involved in decisions which affect them and in Project development. 4. Volunteers will develop long lasting and transferable skills of benefit to themselves, the Project and the wider community. THE ROLE OF A BEFRIENDER The role of a befriender is to provide informal and social support through meeting their young person on a fortnightly basis for a few hours – this can be to go swimming, bowling, help with homework at the library, out for dinner – many things, with the main focus being on spending 1:1 time and building up a trusting relationship. There may be some particular individual stated objectives at the start of the relationship, eg – raising confidence or joining a local group. While the success of the relationship is not dependent on these being achieved, success in that regard is, however, seen to be an additional benefit of befriending. PERSON SPECFICATION Essential Requirements · · · · · · · to attend and successfully complete a 12 hour Volunteer training course held over 4 sessions to be non judgmental, respecting people’s differences successful completion of Enhanced Disclosure and becoming a new member / updating existing membership of the PVG Scheme to commit to their role for a minimum of 6 months, meeting a young person every 2 weeks to be sufficiently independent to meet travel requirements, by walking, public transport or car to be comfortable working on their own independently and in group settings to be able to seek advice and support from Co-ordinator when necessary Desirable Requirements · · · · to be able to communicate well with others to have an understanding or awareness of some issues faced by young people referred to the Project to be able to focus on the needs of the young person to be willing to participate in a broad range of activities VOLUNTEER PROCESS • Volunteer makes an initial enquiry to Project • Application form completed and returned • References are requested and initial volunteer interview arranged • Volunteers invited to training sessions if suitable following successful update or registration with PVG • Completion of 12 hour training course and post training interview complete • Volunteers are selected for 1:1 match, group volunteering or signposted elsewhere. REFERRAL CRITERIA Anyone can refer a young person to the Project. If not from a statutory agency the referrer will be asked to complete Projects own Referral form. Priority will be given to young people who are considered to be medium/high need. However in order to be accepted the young person must meet the following criteria :- *Socially Isolated Young person must have :(ii) very limited or no positive peer interaction & acceptance (ii) very limited or no adult support to access social & recreational activities within their local community. REFERRAL PROCESS The majority of our referrals come from statutory agencies through the Locality Forum but referrals from voluntary agencies and young people and their families can also be made. Co-ordinators are able to offer assistance to help complete referral forms if necessary. The diagram below outlines the referral process – • Referrals can be taken all year round and will be assessed on an ongoing basis. • Referrer sends a referral form and any additional information for YP into Project. Referral form assessed by co-ordinators and YP home visit and assessment carried out and decision made whether or not to accept referral as appropriate. • Referrer/YP/Families will be informed of outcome. • If accepted • Referral receipt letter given to referrer and a copy of waiting list procedures. • Young person added to waiting list and database and informed of outcome. • When identified for a match a co-ordinator will contact YP and referrer to see if service still required and appropriate. • A YP match meeting will take place. • If suitable, match will progress with young person’s consent. If not young person goes back onto waiting list or is withdrawn. WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT? YOUNG PEOPLE : · Each young person will gain access through 1:1 outings and group outings to a variety of locally based activities. · SABP will seek to provide a route for young people to pursue activities they develop an interest in. · Regular joint and group outings will provide opportunity for friendships to emerge and social skills to develop which can then be used elsewhere. · A young person’s confidence and self esteem will rise and hopefully empower them to be able to make positive life choices. · A befriender will offer a young person a positive role model to build a trusting relationship with until they no longer have the need or the time for a befriender. VOLUNTEERS : · Continued development of skills through undertaking initial volunteer training. Additional internal and external training opportunities offered regularly thereafter. · Regular support reviews with co-ordinator throughout match. · Participate in a broad range of activities on a 1:1 basis with young person or as a group volunteer at group outings. · Develop new interests and skills. · Opportunity to attend regular volunteer sessions facilitated by the Project. Sessions are tailored specifically to meet the needs of the volunteers and include a mixture of social evenings, information sessions and accredited training. · Gain valuable experience of working with young people. · Satisfaction gained from giving something back to the local community. · To have volunteer expenses met by the Project. REFERRERS: · Regular contact & updates as to how match is progressing. · Invites to comprehensive reviews every 3 – 4 months. · To share information regarding young person and be informed of any concern / changes in YP’s circumstances. PARENTS: · To receive a Parents’ Handbook and be made aware of Project’s Policies & Procedures relating to their child. · To have regular contact with Project Co-ordinator to discuss match progress or any concerns. · To be aware information will be gathered and shared with relevant agencies involved with their child. *For information on how to make a Complaint / Compliment or Comment please contact the office. South Ayrshire Befriending Project 4A Citadel Place, Ayr KA7 1JN 92 2 64000 Tel. 012 0129 264000 bfriend.or g.uk www.bfriend.or bfriend.org.uk [email protected] g.uk [email protected] [email protected] email. inf Registered Charity No. SC020989 Registered Company No. SC236725
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