While studying at the University of Aberdeen, Julia came across an advertisement for Befriend a Child and decided to apply. “It sounded like a great cause that would also give me some more volunteering experience,” she explained. After completing the induction training, she was matched with Rory, a Primary 1 pupil at the time. Rory was referred to Befriend a Child due to family challenges and his need for a positive role model. Reflecting on their first meeting, she said, “He reminded me of myself at his age, and it seemed to be a great match.”

Throughout their time together, Julia was a constant source of support. One of Rory’s biggest fears was water, but with Julia’s encouragement, he overcame it and learned to swim, a huge achievement that boosted his confidence. When Rory faced struggles at school, she helped him build resilience to navigate those tough moments. Through their outings beyond his local community, Rory gained new experiences, developed social skills, and built friendships, helping him grow into a more confident young person.

Their early outings included trips to places like Codonas, soft play centres, and even the circus. Over time, Rory’s love for certain activities became clear. “We soon discovered his love for Codonas and made many trips there over the years. Another firm favourite has been the beach for a paddle, no matter the weather, including some sand sledging!” she shared. Ice cream became a recurring theme during their outings, evolving into iced caramel frappes from Starbucks in recent years. “We’ve definitely kept Starbucks in business over the last year,” she joked.

Together, they explored countless locations across Aberdeen and the surrounding areas. These included parks, bike rides, dog walks, farms, train trips, swimming, baking, gaming, rock climbing, museums, castles, and even trips further afield, like a safari park. They also enjoyed hikes up Bennachie and Scolty Hill, demonstrating a shared love for adventure and exploration.

Through their outings, Rory gained not only new experiences but also a sense of stability. “Our fortnightly outings have given him a sense of stability and the opportunity to gain new experiences that he might not have been able to access without the support, it’s been a pleasure to watch Rory grow in confidence over the years, and I’m very proud of the young person he is today.” Julia noted.

One of the most memorable periods of their journey was during COVID-19, when restrictions limited activities. “During COVID, when we couldn’t get out in the car, we explored a lot of Aberdeen by bike and discovered so many hidden places that we would have never found otherwise,” she recalled. They both also enjoyed the Christmas and Halloween parties hosted by Befriend a Child, where he made new friends.

Rory has not long left school but managed to squeeze in an additional maths qualification before leaving, which he completed in a very short time, an impressive accomplishment under difficult circumstances. While he hasn’t decided on his next steps yet, he continues to enjoy outings with Julia, highlighting the enduring strength of their bond.

For Julia, the experience has been life-changing. “It has been a very rewarding experience, and the last 10 years have flown by. It’s also been a stability for me too through different jobs and got me out of the house during various studies,” she explained. Her time as a befriender not only enriched her life but also shaped her career path. “The role definitely gave me more confidence when I was younger, and volunteering with Befriend a Child led to my career working with young people.”

Rory and Julia’s decade-long befriending journey shows the impact 1-2-1 support and shared experiences can have on both a child and a volunteer. Their story is a testament to the work we do at Befriend a Child.