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>>