COVEY news
August 2023
COVEY Connects in Clydesdale!
COVEY's rural befriending project, COVEY Connect, has had a welcome boost in the form of additional funding from two local sources. £42,280 has been pledged by Clyde Wind Farm Extension Fund and SSE Renewables whilst an additional £5,000 has been granted by the Loaningdale Trust. The funding will allow COVEY to support children and young people who are rurally and socially isolated and who also experience a range of challenges which prevent them from achieving their potential, such as poverty, trauma and additional support needs.
Lee Johnstone, COVEY's CEO, explained further:
"We are absolutely delighted to receive this support from these two local funders as it will allow us to strengthen and expand our rural befriending support across rural Clydesdale, with a particular focus on the Biggar, Symington, Quothquorn, Thankerton and Duneaton areas. We have a proven track record of providing consistent, relationship-based support to children and families across Lanarkshire, enabling those we support to overcome barriers, to connect with their local communities and to progress positively in their lives."
The young people themselves often testify to this effect:
"Because of my group and 1-1 time I feel more confident talking to peers, teachers and friends in school. I am also finding it easier to make new friends in my community and I now want to join in new groups and try new classes in my community." Young Person
Referrals are generally made through education and social work departments, with the group-based and 1:1 befriending and mentoring being delivered within the local community, facilitated by committed and caring local staff and volunteers.
COVEY stands for Community Volunteers Enabling You and, as the name suggests, volunteering is at the heart of the charity's work. Volunteers are valued, supported, trained and celebrated. Many go on to employment in the social care, youth work, social work and/or education sectors.
"Having additional funds will also enable us to recruit, train and support more volunteers and we're keen to hear from anyone aged 18 years and over, who lives in rural South Lanarkshire, who would like to help us to bring more colour to young lives", Lynn Cochrane, Projects Lead
To find out more about our work, including the rural befriending project and volunteering opportunities, see our website or contact the team on office@coveybefriending.org.uk
COVEY Connects in Clydesdale!
COVEY's rural befriending project, COVEY Connect, has had a welcome boost in the form of additional funding from two local sources. £42,280 has been pledged by Clyde Wind Farm Extension Fund and SSE Renewables whilst an additional £5,000 has been granted by the Loaningdale Trust. The funding will allow COVEY to support children and young people who are rurally and socially isolated and who also experience a range of challenges which prevent them from achieving their potential, such as poverty, trauma and additional support needs.
Lee Johnstone, COVEY's CEO, explained further:
"We are absolutely delighted to receive this support from these two local funders as it will allow us to strengthen and expand our rural befriending support across rural Clydesdale, with a particular focus on the Biggar, Symington, Quothquorn, Thankerton and Duneaton areas. We have a proven track record of providing consistent, relationship-based support to children and families across Lanarkshire, enabling those we support to overcome barriers, to connect with their local communities and to progress positively in their lives."
The young people themselves often testify to this effect:
"Because of my group and 1-1 time I feel more confident talking to peers, teachers and friends in school. I am also finding it easier to make new friends in my community and I now want to join in new groups and try new classes in my community." Young Person
Referrals are generally made through education and social work departments, with the group-based and 1:1 befriending and mentoring being delivered within the local community, facilitated by committed and caring local staff and volunteers.
COVEY stands for Community Volunteers Enabling You and, as the name suggests, volunteering is at the heart of the charity's work. Volunteers are valued, supported, trained and celebrated. Many go on to employment in the social care, youth work, social work and/or education sectors.
"Having additional funds will also enable us to recruit, train and support more volunteers and we're keen to hear from anyone aged 18 years and over, who lives in rural South Lanarkshire, who would like to help us to bring more colour to young lives", Lynn Cochrane, Projects Lead
To find out more about our work, including the rural befriending project and volunteering opportunities, see our website or contact the team on office@coveybefriending.org.uk
