Bield recognises the important role that companionship can have on improving the lives of residents at St Andrews Care Home, enabling them to participate in local events, and become more involved in social activities.

Bield are looking for a befriender who could visit a tenant on a regular basis, whether staying in doing crosswords or playing scrabble, or venturing further afield to social clubs.

Care Home manager Kim McArthur said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for our service user who would like to continue her social activities in the development and in time with the assistance of a volunteer Befriender be able to continue these out-with the development.”

The befriending project is already in place at other Bield schemes and has proved very successful.

The initiative reinforces Bield’s ‘free to be’ ethos helping residents make their own decisions and maintain independence whilst offering assistance if they need it.

If you are free weekday mornings or afternoons and enjoy socialising, Bield would be interested in hearing from you. If you would like to be provided with more information please call Kim on 01506 857 183 or Donna Dickson on 0131 273 4095 or email d.dickson@bield.co.uk.

Enquiries are welcome from people of all ages over 16. Full training and support will be given and out-of-pocket expenses will be paid. A minimum commitment of six months is required.

Please note that these are volunteer, unpaid positions.