I found it very refreshing to discuss befriending matters face-to-face with people from a variety of other organisations. One member of our team commented that the afternoon had ‘renewed her enthusiasm for befriending’ which was a great outcome!
— Roadshow attendee feedback
About the event
Join the Befriending Networks team in Aberdeen for our 2025 Journey Across Befriending Roadshow! This is a great chance to meet other members in person, share your experience and get new insights.
Programme
12.00 – 12.45: Optional networking. You’re welcome to arrive at any time during this period. You can bring along your own lunch, or just join us for coffee.
12.45 – 15:00: Main session. During the afternoon there will be time for us to discuss and share some of the topics and themes relevant to befriending. They will be of interest whether you are from a new project, a long-established project, or just getting started. The format will be relaxed with plenty of interaction – and of course time for coffee and networking with others.
There are four key areas of discussion available in the main session:
- Design and Development: For those starting up a service or looking at project redesign and development
- Knowing Your Community: For those who want to discuss referral procedures, eligibility and how best to respond to needs in their area.
- Volunteers: This includes volunteer recruitment, retention and recognition methods.
- Making a difference: For those who are seeking support around collecting feedback and sharing the impact your service is making.
Co-host of this event - Befriend A Child
Befriend a Child provides support to children and young people across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. Their Befriending Service offers in-person befriending to under 16-year-olds. Befriend a Child is a current holder of the Quality in Befriending Excellence Award.
Who is this event for?
This event is open to both members and non-members of Befriending Networks. It is suitable for staff and trustees working in befriending projects, but not suitable for volunteer befrienders. It will be of interest to any type of project – from new projects to long-established services.
Cost
Roadshow events are free to both members and non-members of Befriending Networks. We will provide refreshments throughout the afternoon, but ask that you bring your own lunch if you choose to come along to that part of the session.
Your Travel Guide
Everyone who attends the roadshow will receive a free copy of the Journey Across Befriending Travel Guide, which includes:
- Top tips for how to approach different topics in befriending, such as developing your service model or recruiting volunteers
- Resources and training to help you take your next steps
- A Befriending Roadmap to help you navigate running a befriending project, no matter what stage you’re at
What are roadshow events?
Prior to 2020, Befriending Networks held regular in-person networking events around the UK called ‘Common Ground Meetings’. Following feedback from our members, who are keen to return to some face-to-face events, we have developed the roadshow events to give members the opportunity to meet as a network.
Our networking events are a safe and friendly space for those working within community projects to come together, network, share and compare experiences, and learn from one another. If you have anything you’d like to discuss, please let us know in advance of the session.
Questions?
Please get in touch with the event facilitator, Victoria@befriending.co.uk
