From Cherry Lawson
Kincardine & Deeside Befriending has been working for 27 years in rural Southern Aberdeenshire with vulnerable, socially isolated older people.
We facilitate a regular befriending visit which in most cases would involve an outing to a garden centre, out for a walk, go for a bit of shopping or just for a cuppa and a fine piece, and if outings aren’t possible, then a cuppa and a chat at home.
We cover a large geographical area. In Kincardine from Banchory-Devenick and Portlethen down the coastal strip to St Cyrus, across to Marykirk, Laurencekirk, Fordoun and Fettercairn. On Deeside from Drumoak to Ballater, Torphins, Lumphanan and Tarland.
We try to match our volunteers locally, so we won’t be asking you to travel a long way and we will look after your travel expenses and your snacks. And don’t worry if you don’t drive – there’s always someone who needs a friendly face who can’t get out and about.
We offer a home learning package and a volunteering experience which is well supported with volunteers being screened (PVG checks and references) and supported. We aim to ensure that the service has a positive impact on self-esteem, reduces feelings of loneliness, keeps isolated individuals linked with their local communities and allows many to remain in their own homes for longer.
Befriending has been shown to have positive impacts on the mental health of all involved. If you think that you might have a couple of hours free once a week or once a fortnight and think that you might like to brighten up someone’s day, please get in touch with us either by email info@kdbefriending.org.uk, or by telephone on 01569 765 714 (for Kincardine & Mearns) or 01330 823 368 (for Deeside).