For Organisations
Information on Support for Children & Young People
Our popular Youth Befriending Service delivered across East Lothian supports young people aged 8 to 16 experiencing difficult and challenging lifestyles.
We help improve the lives of 8-16 year olds from all kinds of disadvantaged backgrounds including young people who are: care experienced, attached to mental health services such as CAMHS, socially isolated, not attending school, living in financial hardship, chaotic homes or have siblings with additional needs.
Referrals for befriending can come from social services, health professionals, teachers and third sector partners.
Our service introduces young individuals to new and fresh opportunities that can help improve their wellbeing and advance their own personal development. We aim to offer lots of fun and choice in activities while encouraging and nurturing a mindset of healthy self-respect, positivity, increased self-confidence, and motivation.
Families & Young People
Our Youth Befrienders can give you the support and encouragement you need to try something new, and even take you to do the things that you’re interested in.
Maybe you fancy: trying out a new sport or outdoor activity like surfing or rock climbing, learning how to play a musical instrument, going to the cinema to watch the latest film, visiting a theatre or museum, and how about taking a trip to the zoo or maybe the Seabird Centre? Anything you’d like to do, we can probably make it happen!
Meet your VCEL Youth Befriending Development Officer
Louise Smith leads our Youth Befriending Service and makes sure every young individual gets the understanding and support they need, as well as the opportunity to participate in any activities they choose.
Referral for one-to-one youth befriending
Referrals for one-to-one befriending can come from anyone working with a young person aged 8-16, living within East Lothian. Whether the young person’s difficulties are behavioural issues, bullying, drug and alcohol misuse, abuse, disengagement from school, mental health challenges or bereavement, we’re here to help.
If you’d like to make a referral, the first step is to contact our Youth Befriending Development Officer, Louise Smith, to discuss the young person’s needs and how we can best help.
Call: 01875 615 423
Interested in volunteering as a Youth Befriender?
Having a befriender for my son meant that he had someone impartial from a family member to spend time with. My son’s befriender goes over and above to make sure their time together is fun and useful. The support that Youth Befriending gave us helped us through a very difficult time and ultimately stopped my son from having to go into care.
Parent
Agreeing to give befriending a chance was a massive decision for us to make, we simply didn’t think it would make such a huge positive difference to our daughter’s life. Our befriender was an absolute star and the perfect match, we can’t thank her enough for everything she has done for us.
Parent
Young People FAQs
Looking for more help or have specific questions about young people?
-
Young people who have a sibling with additional support needs.
Young people who are receiving support through CAMHS or another mental health service.
Young people who have chaotic lifestyles or home environments.
-
Social Work, CAHMS, Guidance Teachers from schools, Young Carers East Lothian, Families Together East Lothian or other Mental Health Professionals.
-
No, the referral must come from a professional working alongside the Young Person.
-
Ages 8-16yrs
-
Yes, if they are age 16 at the time of referral.
