Befriending Fun
There are lots of charities that have modelled themselves on the “Big Brother” organisation in the US, that provides befrienders for kids from difficult backgrounds or who are having problems at school. The idea is that the support of a positive adult role model will make them happier and more confident.
The best people to apply to become befrienders are those who are still big kids at heart; this doesn’t mean you have to go around wearing adult nappies, but you should be willing to have lots of fun and maybe be a bit silly from time to time. A lot of the time, it is local students who apply as volunteers. It’s something that looks good on your CV in these days of workplace competition, but the local children will also benefit from your time and attention.
You can do anything on your day out with your befriendee, though educational activities are encouraged over visits to the funfair or burger bars. Mix it up a bit though. Kids don’t want to go to museums all the time, so maybe promise them a trip to a local football match of they put up with you dragging them round the art gallery.
You’ll probably find that you get as much out of the whole experience as the child does. After all, you get to feel good that you’re doing something more useful with your time than sitting around with a hangover ignoring your essays, you will see a young child with problems start to grown thanks to your support and you get to go out and act crazy like a young child for a couple of hours a week! Who doesn’t dream of being able to play football on the beach or hide and seek in the park? And with a kid in tow you have the perfect excuse…
Similar Posts:
To Be Or…Well, Not… : Shakespeare: undoubtedly the greatest…
Not Necessarily Behind! : How I laugh at those who have chosen…
The General Perception : The general perception that people…
The Goat Sucker : This is a tale of mystery, fear and wonder:…
Comments are closed!