Berwickshire Housing Association’s (BHA) befriending project for older people in Berwickshire, BeFriend, has been awarded five years’ funding by the Big Lottery Fund.

BHA chief executive, Helen Forsyth, said: “This is great news. BeFriend volunteers will now be able to continue their hugely valuable work offering companionship to isolated older people in Berwickshire.”

Referring to the work done by the project as Seton Care Befrienders over the past four years, she said: “It’s wonderful that the impact, value, and hard work of this project have been recognised.”

The BeFriend project co-ordinator, Terri Bearhope, added: “I want to say a huge thank you to the Big Lottery Fund for their belief in the project, and also to our volunteers for their loyalty and outstanding service to their communities. Now we need to continue to expand and improve the project and make sure that older people in the area have company and support when they need it.”

If befriending is something that you’re interested in, either as a volunteer or as someone who could use a little more company, you can contact Terri on 01361 885928 or 07801 672167 or terri.bearhope@bhagroup.org.uk.