Andrew’s Befriending Story
Andrew Grant, a lifelong Hearts fan, was delighted back in 2015 when he read about Big Hearts new strategy to help families across Edinburgh. Having recently completed a period of befriending with national charity Children 1st, Andrew thought he’d offer the new Big Hearts General Manager, Caryn Kerr the chance to hear about his experiences as a befriender.
Caryn and Andrew met shortly after this and the meeting was the starting point for ‘Big Hearts Befrienders’, which we will launch in the New Year.
Inspired by Andrew’s story about supporting young people with some challenging needs, Caryn immediately recognised that a befriending project could align fantastically to the Big Hearts Kinship Care Programme.
We caught up with Andrew again recently to reflect on his time as a befriender and to provide a fantastic insight into what interested Big Hearts Befrienders can expect.
“I got involved in befriending because I felt I needed a challenge. My own kids had left home, I had some time to give and I was inspired to do something by my daughter, who herself was volunteering with a children’s charity in another part of the country.”
“As you’d expect being a befriender for a young person who is struggling can be a big challenge. I’ll admit I was initially well out my comfort zone but within a few weeks I was having great fun whilst providing tailored support to the young person involved.”
“We did lots of great activities together, we’d go Ten Pin Bowling, play football, board games and visit parts of Edinburgh like Arthur Seat. The group of befrienders would also organise group activities and this was particularly rewarding as we watched the young people make strong lasting friendships.”
Big Hearts Befrienders will see 15 Big Hearts Supporters train to become befrienders for Kinship Care Young people in and around Edinburgh. Andrew reckons the unique tie in with a football club could make the programme even stronger.
“Football is something that brings people together. What a fantastic story it is that ordinary Hearts fans will be supporting those young people who need a bit of help. I know from my time as a befriender that lots of the kids were desperate to get along and visit Tynecastle or Easter Road and this tie in will make that a reality on a regular basis.”
To join Andrew as a Big Hearts Befriender all you need to do is register your interest Here.
For more information or to speak directly about befriending to us email Innes.Shirreff@bighearts.org.uk.