National Befriending Week: Call for more volunteers to come forward in West Dunbartonshire
dailyrecord.co.ukThis week marks National Befriending Week – with a local group urging people to help change lives by giving up just a few hours of their own time.Befriending is where volunteers offer supportive, reliable relationships to people who would otherwise be socially isolated.In 2019 the Lennox ran a campaign aimed at cutting down on loneliness at Christmas, with heartbreaking figures showing that more than 3,400 people would go for half a week or more without speaking to anyone.West Dunbartonshire Community and Volunteering Services (WDCVS) is on the lookout for more volunteer befrienders, to help make someone’s winter a little less bleak.One of those to sign up recently is Dumbarton mum Debbie Quinn, who explained what inspired her to become a befriender.“I took care of my elderly parents and I missed having that interaction with older people,” said Debbie.“I want to help the community and if I can help one person for half a day or one; whether it’s because they are isolated or feeling lonely then that’s something that would be really rewarding.“People’s confidence and self-esteem might be quite low.
After the pandemic it’s been quite a tough time for elderly people and those who aren’t able to get out and about anymore.“If I can help just one person then that will be incredibly worthwhile.“It’s important to have a listening ear for someone to talk to, even just over a cup of tea or to take them to the shops.“To be able to do that for a couple of hours is so worthwhile.“There are people out there who don’t have anybody.
And that’s quite sad, especially at this time of year where the weather isn’t great and they can’t get out and about.“For the people who don’t have family it can be so important to give them someone to talk
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