Mary’s Befriending Story

At the beginning of 2019, Mary was considering voluntary work when she came across an advert looking for volunteer befrienders in her local area.

“I had thought about doing voluntary work. I thought, maybe I should do something – something that would be a bit different for me, but I hadn’t done anything about it. I saw on Facebook that Aberlour were looking for Befrienders and filled in the application. I just thought maybe I could give someone some company or help them, and it would be good for me to meet someone new too.”

After completing volunteer training, Mary was matched with a 15-year-old girl in May 2019. Together they do lots of different activities such as baking, playing board games, going for picnics, or just going for a walk and talking together. Though these activities, Mary is building a supportive and nurturing relationship with her befriendee and having a positive impact on her life.

“One day when I arrived, there was a lot going on in the house. She wasn’t in a good mood and didn’t want to do anything. We decided to walk to ASDA. Just the change and getting out had a great impact on her. It was the best thing we could have done.”

Mary and her befriendee have developed a great relationship together:

“We have a good rapport with each other. She’ll chat away and tell me different things. She’s quite open and I’m happy to listen to her talk – until she tells me I’m being too quiet! When we’re driving in the car she gets to be in charge of the radio – we turn the music up loud and have a sing song! We’ve built up trust between us. We have a routine and I wouldn’t let her down – she trusts that I’ll always come when I say I will”

“What I enjoy most about the befriending is her company, I look forward to seeing her. She always seems keen to see me too, and she likes to make sure that our next visit is written in my diary. I think she likes that she is in my diary.”

“I would definitely recommend others to become befrienders, it’s really worthwhile.”

Could you change a life and become an Aberlour befriender? We have opportunities available throughout the country find out more>>