What does befriending involve?

Each young person referred to the Service will have different needs and interests. The Support Workers will endeavour to match you with a young person on the basos of common interests and personality, your experience, abilites and skills.

As a volunteer you would be expected to commit yourself to befriending for at least six months from the date you are matched, with contact averaging 2 to 4 hours per week. Some matches last considerably longer and some will have variations in frequency.

In addition you would have monthly contact with a support worker and quarterly with other befrienders involved with the service ( these would be informal or social gatherings, or issue based training opportunities. You would also be required to complete a brief log or diary of each meeting or visit with the young person ( not a major report but a simple 10 minute questionnaire.

Where and when you meet is up to you and the young person ( and sometimes their parents) as long as there is consistant commitment and regularity. You must always ensure the young persons family know where you are going, what you will be doing and when they will be returning home.

What Can You Expect ?

In terms of the relationship itself, much depends on why you want to be involved. Befrienders volunteer for a variety of reasons and we will do our best to address your agenda and needs. However all volunteers can expect quality training which starts with the befrienders training programme and continues throughout their involvement.

The monthly meetings with your support worker and the diary/log sheets will be used to identify individual, further training needs . Beyond this, you would br e encouraged to request taining on anything remotely related to your voluntary work. We can offer no guarantees but would endeavour to accomodate any reasonable suggestion.

All expenses are reimbursed within reasonable limits; you will be advised of this in more detail. Should you wish to engage in other forms of voluntary work, as part of the Volunteer Centre the service is well placed to advise you about what opportunities exist. Many people find befriending is a useful stepping stone to personal and career development.

Finaly and probably most importantly, you can expect to enjoy the experience and have some fun.

For further information on how you can get involved please feel free to contact the befriending team at the address below.

84 Miller Street, Glasgow, G1 1DT

Email: befriending@volunteerglasgow.org

0141 226 3431

The Greater Pollok Integration Network has and is still supporting a lot of local projects to facilitate and encourage integration among refugees/asylum seekers and host population within the Greater Pollok Area.

In July 29th and 30th last year, we in partnership with Afro Scots united and Glasgow Ansar did organise and support the all nations tournament that took place at King George the V park involving 8 teams from different parts of the world.

For example Afro-Scot, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Congo ,Red Road United, Universal, Zambia, Ansar. The event was opened by the Superintendent Williams Newland from the Pollok Police Office on Saturday the 29th of July. There was also face painting for the children and health check for men.

The final was played on Sunday the 30th of July between Cameroon and Ansar. It was won by Ansar However this 2007, we are in the planning process of another All Nations Tournament.

It will take place at King George V Park this July 2007. This year we are anticipating more teams than last year. There will also be African drumming, face painting for the children, health check, and prizes to be won.

We would like to welcome everybody within and out with the Greater Pollok area. More information will be given when the time is due and will welcome contributions from any sponsors.

Our contact is : gpintegrationnetwork@greaterpollok.net.