To mark World Kindness Day today, and as part of the National Lottery’s 25th Birthday celebrations, The National Lottery Community Fund is shining a spotlight on the £96 million it has invested into befriending projects in Scotland over the last 25 years.
During this time, The National Lottery has given money to over 920 befriending projects in Scotland, providing companionship for people of all ages.
One Scottish project that has benefitted is the Big Hearts Befriending Project in Edinburgh. Delivered by Big Hearts Community Trust, it offers the opportunity for children aged 7 to 14 years old who are in kinship care to engage in social activities every week, in the company of an adult and trained Big Hearts volunteer.
The project received a three-year National Lottery Community Fund award of £149,423 to support its Kinship care programme.
Cathy Owens is a kinship carer to her 12-year-old grandson Nathan who was matched with a befriender through the project. Cathy said: “Befriending has been wonderful for Nathan. He gets to go out once a week with his befriender and enjoy a range of different activities which he chooses, while I get some precious time to myself.
“I have seen him become more confident and self-assured and it’s been wonderful to see his wee personality evolving, thanks to the magic of befriending.”
Craig Wilson, General Manager, Big Hearts Community Trust, said: “Big Hearts Befrienders was set up to provide additional support to young people in kinship care, who could benefit from a range of social activities out in their community.
“By building a trusted relationship with our trained Big Hearts Volunteers, these young people get to improve their emotional wellbeing and become more active. The support from The National Lottery Community Fund has enabled our Big Hearts Befriending Project to grow and involve many more isolated young people living in a kinship care setting across Edinburgh.”
Cowal Elderly Befrienders in Argyll is another organisation who has benefitted from funding.
Founded 23 years ago to help alleviate loneliness and isolation in a rural area of Argyll, it has received two awards from the National Lottery Community Fund since 2012 which have contributed to it providing more than 20,000 hours of Befriending services to around 200 older people every week.
It’s most recent award of £234,000 in 2017 is enabling the group to deliver a peer- based befriending model aiming to tackle loneliness, isolation and loss experienced by older people.
Pat McLean, 92, from Dunoon has lived on her own since her husband died eight years ago. She said: “Before I joined I was very lonely, so it’s been so nice getting to know more people. I am part of the Singing Bees choir which meets every Wednesday.
“I was very nervous at first but I have always enjoyed singing. Joining Cowal Elderly Befrienders was one of the best things I have ever done, and I am so glad I made the decision to join.”
Robin Miller, Project-Co-ordinator, Cowal Elderly Befrienders, said: “With the support of the National Lottery Community Fund and the input of our clients, we been able to expand and develop our services. We now employ eight staff, benefit from the input of 35 volunteers and own four wheelchair accessible vehicles.
“The National Lottery Community Fund has enabled us to support thousands of referred older people to continue to play an active part in their communities and to enjoy themselves regardless of the challenges that older age can bring.”
Maureen McGinn, Scotland Chair of The National Lottery Community Fund, added: “We know that being part of a community and building friendships makes people happier and healthier.
“National Lottery players can feel proud of the difference they’ve made to communities across the UK. The National Lottery really changes lives, and the 25th Birthday is a perfect time to celebrate the £96 million that has been invested into befriending projects in Scotland over the last 25 years.”
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