Glasgow charity bosses warn children's befriending service under threat

The team at Volunteer Glasgow needs to raise £110,000 to turn its fortunes around.

Volunteer Glasgow's Young Persons Befriending & Mentoring Service: Start your engines.
Author: Callum McQuadePublished 18th Sep 2023

Charity bosses at Volunteer Glasgow are telling us they've got weeks to raise £110,000 or they could be forced to close a vital befriending service.

They match 8-18 year-olds from challenging backgrounds with an adult who spends time with them every week.

READ MORE: Bridgeton charity 'devastated' to close after 40 years

However, staff members are now facing redundancy.

Chair Dr Tom Berry told Greatest Hits Radio: "We've already started looking at ways in which we could hand over matches to other charities, but they are also feeling the pinch.

"This service has been running for a very long time and it helps young people grow into confident adults who are excited for the future.

"We are discussing letting some people go which is extremely stressful and gives me sleepless nights."

Volunteer Glasgow's Young Persons Befriending & Mentoring Service: Cooking up a storm.

The charity was set up in 1970 and used to get money from the government, but that funding has stopped and it relies on individual donations.

Tom added: "We are experts in applying for grants and sometimes we are successful and other times we are not.

"There are 25,500 registered charities across Scotland and any grant-giving body such as Comic Relief or Children in Need would tell you they are overwhelmed with applications."

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