Fiona has been a customer with BHA for over 22 years, and just last year, she decided to get involved with BHA BeFriend – a service for bringing friendship and support to people aged 65 and over living in Berwickshire and Kelso.
For the past six months, Fiona has been visiting a gentleman in Kelso regularly – though she says it feels like they’ve been friends for much longer! They enjoy a good chat over a cuppa, share stories, reminisce, and always find something to laugh about.
Fiona has seen first hand the difference a friendly visit can make. Her befriendee looks forward to her visits – it brightens his week, helps him feel more connected to his community, and truly lifts his spirits. But it’s not just him who benefits – Fiona says volunteering gives her a real sense of purpose and pride.
Could you spare an hour to make a difference?
We’re always on the lookout for passionate volunteers to join our BeFriend Volunteer team. Even if you can only give a little time every couple of weeks, your presence could mean the world to someone. We’ve befriendees across Berwickshire and Kelso to be matched, and we also offer telephone befriending options.
It’s a chance to give back and support the community you live in. A small act of kindness can make a big difference.
➡️ Interested? Visit https://www.berwickshirehousing.org.uk/our-community/befriending/ to learn more and fill out our quick application form – or just give us a call at 0800 652 8104. We’d love to chat with you!
#VolunteerWeek2025