A Cricket Green Light for Volunteer Befrienders

Pupils from Cricket Green School in Mitcham have been making friends and getting out and about recently, thanks to a new befriending project, piloted by Volunteer Centre Merton in partnership with Cricket Green School.

The project aims to give pupils with additional needs the opportunity to access new activities in the community, as well as providing friendship and support towards independence, outside of their existing support networks.

Ten students were offered the chance to take part in the project, with interviews for potential befrienders taking place at Volunteer Centre Merton.  Befrienders took part in cookery classes at the school, in order to get to know the pupils before going out into the community.  Outside activities were chosen by pupils and took place on a weekly basis.  Due to the success of the project, talks are now underway to run the project again.

For more information, contact Sharon Clark: sharon@volunteercentremerton.org.uk; Tel: 020 8640 7355.