Barnardo’s Aberdeen Young Carers – Befriender Volunteers

Barnardo's (Aberdeen)
VO103868

Barnardo’s is committed to providing ‘Better Outcomes for More Children’. Our children’s services volunteers help the charity to deliver essential services in local communities, providing support to over 300,000 children, young people and their families. This role provides a great opportunity to join our fantastic children’s services and help make a real difference.

A young carer is someone up to the age of 18 who provides unpaid help and support to a relative, friend or neighbour who due to illness or disability cannot manage to live independently without the carer’s help. It may involve practical support like cooking, housework, or emotional support.

Aberdeen Young Carers are looking for Befrienders to spend some quality time with a child or young person between the ages of 5-18 on a regular basis, getting to know them, and building up a positive relationship by being reliable and non-judgemental when listening to them.

Befrienders will support the young person to enjoy activities and experiences within the Aberdeen community therefore reducing isolation, and promoting self-esteem and confidence.

This is a flexible opportunity and you can commit to meeting with a child or young person for a few hours on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis depending on what time you have available. This would take place outside of school hours, predominately over evenings or weekends.

To be a one-to-one Befriender we ask for a minimum time commitment of six months, so that the child or young person has some consistency.

We are looking for volunteers, with a passion for making a difference in young people’s lives, with a friendly and approachable attitude and an ability to engage young people, empowering them to take steps towards improving their situation and achieving their goals.

Full training and excellent support is provided to all volunteers including:
• Full induction and training.
• Other training opportunities relevant to the volunteer role.
• Regular supervision and support.
• Out of pocket expenses agreed in advance.
• Access to the Barnardo’s internal vacancy listing.
• Our volunteers tell us about lots of other benefits of volunteering including; experience of working with children, young people and families; experience for your CV; supporting your local community; meeting new people; increasing self-confidence; feeling like you are making a difference; improving your health and wellbeing; and a chance to contribute to a worthwhile children’s charity.

To apply, please visit: https://volunteer.barnardos.org.uk/opportunities/94817-befriender-aberdeen-young-carers-2025-08-08 or contact Jess Whyte, Volunteer Co-ordinator at email: jessica.whyte@barnardos.org.uk or telephone 07703964120

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Training details

Excellent support and relevant training is provided for all volunteers including:
• Full induction and training.
• Other training opportunities relevant to the volunteer role.
• Regular supervision and support.
• Out of pocket expenses agreed in advance.
• Access to the Barnardo’s internal vacancy listing.
• Our volunteers tell us about lots of other benefits of volunteering including; experience of working with children, young people and families; experience for your CV; supporting your local community; meeting new people; increasing self-confidence; feeling like you are making a difference; improving your health and wellbeing; and a chance to contribute to a worthwhile children’s charity.