NEW volunteers have joined the Winchester branch of Friends of the Family’s.

The group of six will become part of the '5s to 13s Befriending team'.

Loui, Adele, Anne, Jane, Sarah and Tracey all successfully completed the two-day training course and are now ready to be matched to a local child in need of support and friendship.

Training was delivered by Befriending Manager Sam Hunt and covered topics including the befriending role, key attributes of a befriender, issues facing children today, confidentiality, boundaries and safeguarding.

Sam Hunt said: "I am so pleased to have finally been able to deliver a face-to-face training course again after such a challenging year and I am very grateful to these new befrienders for coming forward to volunteer with us in this unique role.

"We have local children and families waiting for support and I am looking forward to matching them to their new befriender as soon as possible.”

On day one of the course, the new recruits were given the opportunity to meet one of the charity’s current volunteers, Julie, who has been a befriender for three years.

She gave a valuable insight into the role and the support she receives from the charity. Joining Sam on day two was guest speaker Kevin Knight, who gave a workshop focusing on the importance of good communication and listening skills, both of which are essential qualities of a befriender.

Presenting the newly-trained volunteers with their befriending certificates, Karen Hazlitt, Chair of Trustees, said: “Thank you. It’s great to have six wonderful new volunteers who are able to spare two hours a week to befriend a local child. This promises to be an exciting year for Friends of the Family and we are thrilled to welcome you all to our team.”

To apply for Friends of the Family’s next befriender training course, taking place in September, email volunteer@fotfwinchester.org or call 01962 864466.