Hand
in
Hand
Befriend a Child’s
Volunteer Newsletter
March 2015
Hello & welcome to the March edition of Hand in Hand!
Happy Birthday
to the following Volunteers and
staff who celebrate theirs in April:
Welcome Aboard & Goodbyes
This month we are pleased to
welcome aboard:
1ST - Laura & Nataliya
Katherine, Farisha, Robyn, Fraser, Katie,
Michelle, Gilly, Ronald, Barry, Hugh,
Angie, Jennifer, Edward and Kyle.
2ND - Natalie Strachan - Befriending Support Worker
3RD - Jenny 4TH - Shona
Sadly we are saying goodbye to:
6TH - Auguste & Craig 7TH - Lindsay & Claire
Rachel, Pat, Laura, Angela, Gemma,
Stacey and Hannah.
9TH - Marjorie
16TH - Eve
All the best to those volunteers who are
leaving us.
14TH - Emily
18TH - Jane & Stuart
22ND - Pamela 25TH - Tanya
26TH - Kaile & Jill 27TH - Karen
29TH - Katrina
EVENTS
18th of April
Picnic and Games (1 session only 1100 – 1400)
3rd - 6th of April
Breakfast with the Easter Bunny @ Dobbies
£7.95 9:30am to 11am
23rd of May
Picnic and Games (1 session only 1100 – 1400)
20th of June
Baking Gingerbread and Fairy cakes.
If you would like to book a space on any of these sessions please get in
touch with your support worker.
)BOEJO)BOE1BHF
Volunteer Newsletter January 2015
DAYS FOR
YOUR DIARY 2015
Easter Play Scheme – 6th – 17th April
If you would like to help out on any of these
dates please get in touch with [email protected]
for more information
Office Closure – 4th of May
closed for public holiday
Childrens Tea Party – June 4th
5 -7pm @ Rosie Thistle Tea Room
Summer Play Scheme – 6th July – 14th August
If you would like to help out on any of these
dates please get in touch with [email protected]
for more
mo information
Summer Outing – 1st of August
Auchingarrich Wildlife Centre
Halloween Party – 1st of November
Hilton Treetops
Christmas Party – 12th of December
Hilton Treetops
Hand in Hand - Pg 2
Volunteer Newsletter March 2015
Volunteer Stories
Here is a story about a young boy who was befriended for 9 years by the same volunteer called Rhona over
20 years ago. Recently Rhona got in touch with Befriend a Child to let us know James had tracked her down
and got in touch with her. James is now in his mid 30’s.
Here are the correspondences between James and Rhona we would like share especially in our 40th year.
The young man’s name has been changed for confidentiality reasons.
” I'm
es Smith
m
a
"J
,
m
a
ternet
ho I
rch the in
u know w
ea
o
s
e
y
v
a
if
h
y
nd
down,
irstl
my life a
g to track
asking f
,
in
a
in
e
y
c
n
y
b
o
tr
h
en
il
R
a
lu
m
i
f
I'
H
an just
rt this m
s a big in
e woman
e more th
m
e
v
Let me sta wn a lady who wa dark. If you are th
a
g
in my
who
fluences
in the
ely lady
trace do
t
v
in
o
to
lo
h
s
g
ig
a
a
b
e
in
e
is
er
y
s
w
tr
am
swim I
ail addres -‐you to you! You
nding bec n our time, every
em
ta
s
is
er
th
d
d
n
k
n
a
du
th and
ct o
h an
idance an
often refle r kindness, warm
y a Big T
u
I
a
g
s
e
,
e
s
m
o
m
es
c
t
n
to
le
u
ind
spent. Yo
at are yet
e, your k
our time
e days th
f
your tim
o
.
th
s
s
gies in
d
u
ie
o
n
r
d
a
o
mem
am apolo
tremen
is day
ll
I
e
a
th
er
if
ec
to
r
w
,
I
e,
er
e)
f
e,
g
li
m
an
bak
some with
y time I
a total str
take, ever I know you needed ase I'm mailing
as
ils in c
patience (
me.
any deta ppy to hear back!
to
in
o
for your ti
g
s
a
k
h
n
e
a
b
th
d
I'll not
I'
il,
If not then utcome of this ma
o
advance!
e
th
f
o
s
s
Regardle
James Sm
ith
en you have
5 and 14, th
of
e
g
a
e
th
n
twee
, you had just
I took out be
me I met you
ti
om
h
st
w
la
e
Hi James
es
h
m
T
!
Ja
a steady job
you
e same
you now have
e to hear from
e
ic
op
If you are th
n
h
I
ry
.
ce
ve
s
fi
a
e of
on and it w
earing up th
the right pers
t you were cl
bu
t
n
a
d
n
u
d
ch again.
been made re
ns get in tou
ea
m
ll
a
by
and
Best wishes
Rhona
m now
e last met! I'
w
ce
n
si
y
tl
rs now.
sligh
ve changes
for a few yea
a
h
ry
s
st
g
u
in
,
d
a
th
in
on :-‐),
Hi Rhon
in the same
e correct pers
oment.
n working
ee
b
e
v
cently
Glad it's th
a
h
ok at the m
d
k
n
g
a
n
b
a
jo
B
y
of things, re
in
d
e
g
d
ea
si
st
in
v
a
ls
li
a
in
d
ri
n
g
te
a
r that
or a
workin
within the m working out of Asia fo
il & Gas sect
O
ow
e
n
th
rs
in
ea
y
g
Workin
r about 9
have been
g offshore fo
ths ago and
weeks
Been workin mpany, 1year 4 mon
e working 5
or
sh
co
on
ew
!
d
n
re
se
a
a
ths but
gapo
or b
joined
cs Supervis
e next 2 mon
abuan & Sin
ti
th
/L
is
m
in
og
a
L
n
tn
li
to
ie
a
rtunate-‐
otion
Sakh
time, V
een but unfo ted to
y got a prom
orea then to
d
tl
K
er
n
b
th
ce
A
re
ou
to
S
st
p
Ju
du
Busan in
. I just wan
time I'd hea
ding off to
ussian Visa
if I had the
R
,
y
y
on my
a
d
m
n
on/off! Hea
et
u
g
S
I look back
on this
days to
en
d
h
of
on
e
W
L
pl
.
u
to
fe
li
co
g
own
for a
ny mem-‐
headin
from your
, I think ma
e
the country
ou
m
in
y
e
v
h
ly
a
it
g
w
on
t
en
you
king in
ly I'm
the times I sp e at the swimming, ba
for the time
re
ou
a
s
-‐Y
ie
k
or
n
a
h
em
tim
tm
le to me. I
say T
t prominen
son but the
y memorab
a
os
er
re
m
v
e
l
er
v
il
th
te
st
d
a
h
oo
re
yourself
re a
for w
childh
, people like
d good natu
blocked out
fe
n
li
a
n
s
y
ee
b
es
pp
e
n
a
v
h
d
a
h
ories
ile, kin
g a very
ent, your sm r end and you’re livin
erson I
ou
your apartm
y
t
fe
to the man/p
g well a
as to of r.
in
h
n
e
oi
fe
d
m
li
e
t
pe
’r
a
es
b
ou
sh
e
hope y
helped
g of th
far, deservin cond of your time, you
are few and
se
y
for ever
Thank-‐You
become!
have yet to
d
n
a
e
om
ec
b
have
rds
Kind Rega
h
James Smit
Hand in Hand - Pg 3
Volunteer Newsletter March 2015
Our Kids are Go project for the children on our waiting list started up again on the 17th of
January. This project runs every Saturday from 1.30-3pm at the Aberdeen Arts Centre. This
time, the group focuses on fun through drama. It works on improvisation, script work,
games and characterisation. The project aims are to have fun, make friends and build
self-confidence. This is a relaxed, friendly atmosphere to allow young people to develop
through drama.
If you have some free
f
time and would like to to help out with transporting the young
people to and from this project, please contact our Projects Manager,
Jade on 01224 210060 or [email protected]
Befriend a Child Youth club
We are looking for youth work volunteers to help out with our upcoming youth clubs! These
will be run after school on weekday evenings and will be split into two age group, 12 and
under and 13+. The youth group aims to provide accessible group activities in addition to
the one to one support we already provide, to give the children/ young people
something to do out with school time that is fun, gives the opportunity to learn
lea new skills
and encourages social interaction with peer groups.
Volunteers with a driving licence and access to the use of a car is preferable but not
essential. Please contact our Projects Manager, Jade on [email protected]
for more information.
Hand in Hand - Pg 4
Volunteer Newsletter March 2015
ATTENTION
Staff only work weekends if there are bookings for the base unit, so it is important that
you give us a call if you can no longer manage or change your outings. Please ensure
you have all Support Workers numbers saved in your phone.
USE OF THE KITCHEN FACILITIES
Can all volunteers please ensure that all worktops are clean and tidy after use. This
helps to ensure that befriender’s and their befriendee’s who are using the kitchen after
you get full use of the time they have booked in the kitchen.
Can you also please ensure that you stick to your booked times.
Available blocks for booking:
10 -12
12 - 2
2 - 4
Aberdeen Football Club
Upcoming fixtures:
4th April – AFC v Patrick Thistle
8th April – AFC v Inverness
KO 3pm
KO 7.45pm
To book out the season tickets please contact Jean
Gordon who will check availability for you
[email protected]
40TH ANNIVERSARY VOLUNTEER STORIES
Do you have a story about your experiences volunteering
for Befriend a Child?
Please contact: [email protected]
Hand in Hand - Pg 5
Volunteer Newsletter March 2015
Offers for Volunteers
Outdoor Woodland Learning School (OWLS)
Experiences may include
BUSHCRAFT, DEN BUILDING,
CAMPFIRES AND COOKING,
ENVIRONMENTAL ART,
WOOD WORKING,
WILDLIFE AND
ECOSYSTEM DISCOVERY
AND FREE PLAY.
To book a place on one of their sessions please look on their website:
www.owls-learn.co.uk for dates, times and locations and email
esther@owls-learn.co.uk to check availability.
Sessions cost £6.50 and that includes a snack and drink during the session,
please play through the website.
Mossat Trout Fishery
Free Fishing Tuition
Mossat Trout Fishery have offered to give befriended
children free tuition at their Fishery. Rod hire will be £5
and if a fish is caught the cost will be £10. Lovely fishery to visit,
with goats, chickens and donkeys on site.
If you wish to visit please contact Jean on 01224 210060 or
[email protected] to arrange.
Council and Friends of Hazlehead Park
We have kindly had 6 passes for Pets Corner donated to the
base unit. Contact [email protected] to get a pass.
Aberdeen Riding Club
Free Riding Lessons for Kids
Free horse riding lessons for
befriended children.
Booking is essential.
Contact Sally to book
[email protected]
Hand in Hand - Pg 7
Satrosphere
Discounted Entry
(ID badge required)
All volunteers can receive a discount by
simply showing your Befriend a Child badge.
If you don’t have a badge, email a passport
photo to [email protected]
and we’ll get one in the post for you!
Volunteer Newsletter March 2015
Offers for Volunteers
Ceramika
15% Discount
Befrienders get a 15% discount if they have an ID Badge. If you
don't have one, you can email a passport photo to andi.wat-
[email protected] and a badge will
be sent out to you.
New ceramics workshop in Aberdeen
on Union Grove/junction of St Swithin Street
Cineworld Aberdeen
On Saturday mornings (10am) at Cineworld they show movies for
Juniors at the discounted price of £1.50 for the child.
Befriendee’s Easter Eggs
With the Easter holidays coming up, we have easter eggs here at our office for
you to collect. Just get in touch with your support worker to arrange a time
and come in.
Befriendee’s Birthdays
If your befriendee’s birthday is coming up, we have birthday presents here
at our office for you to collect. Just get in touch with your support worker
to arrange a time and come in.
Hand in Hand - Pg 8