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Tag: #befriending

Farewell to the Befriending Service!

The image shows two people, a woman sat on the left and a man sat on the right, they are sat a table that is dressed with plates, food and teacups. The woman is eating a sandwich, and wears a white and grey striped jumper. The man smiles at her whilst wearing a Christmas jumper that is red with penguins and reindeer on. There are people chatting in the background.
Posted on by Aimee Webb

Fresh Futures wishes to share some important news. On 30th June, the Befriending Service was officially handed over to Age UK Calderdale & Kirklees.

This decision was not made lightly; it followed careful thought and planning. The Charity firmly believes that handing the service over to Age UK is the best way to ensure the project continues to deliver outstanding support for isolated individuals, while allowing Fresh Futures to focus on its core charity values – supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged children and young people in Kirklees and the surrounding areas.

Fresh Futures has worked closely with Age UK for many years, including during the pandemic when the two organisations collaborated to deliver the Befriending Partnership. The Charity knows firsthand how exceptional Age UK is at providing caring, community-based support for older people. Fresh Futures is confident that Age UK will continue to offer the same warm, friendly connections that have made this service so special.

The image shows two women smiling at the camera, it looks like a living room setting with pictures on the wall. The woman on the left is elderly, with white hair and wears a purple cardigan, the woman on the right has dark hair, with a fringe and dark rimmed glasses.
A client with their befriending volunteer
The image shows six women, stood in a line all posing for the picture. The background looks like a classroom with a projection on the wall in the lefthand half of the picture. The women range from 30s to middle aged and they are all smiling at the camera.
Staff involved in the befriending service

The Charity would like to take this opportunity to express sincere thanks to everyone who has been part of this journey. To all the staff and volunteers, your time, dedication, and kindness have made a significant difference in many people’s lives. To everyone who has taken part in the service, thank you for the connections made and the moments shared.

As Fresh Futures takes the next steps in delivering its core projects for children and young people, the Charity remains proud of everything the Befriending Service has achieved over the years. It has been a privilege to witness the support that has been provided and the joy that has come from the relationships built through the project.

Fresh Futures is excited to see the Befriending Service continue to thrive under the leadership of Age UK and is confident it will continue to make a meaningful difference in the community for years to come.

The image shows three women posing for the picture, it looks like it is Christmas as there is a tree and presents in the background, they are all dressed in red and all have blonde hair.
Staff involved in the befriending service
The image shows two women in a living rooms, there is a fireplace and a stack of video tapes in the background. The room is decorated in beiges and browns. One of the women is on the right, sat in a comfy chair and appears to be in the middle of saying something. The other woman is sat behind a elevated dinner tray and is laughing, she is wearing a teal jumper.
Clients and volunteers of the befriending service

To keep up to date with the Befriending Service and Age UK Calderdale and Kirklees, please visit their website, and their Facebook page.

Volunteer of the Month – May 2025

Posted on by Aimee Webb

Volunteer of the month is when we get to shout about our amazing volunteers and the, quite literally, life changing work they do to help Fresh Futures run smoothly and effectively.

This month we would like to say a big THANK YOU to Lawrence who volunteers as a Community Friend. We caught up with Lawrence to hear about his Fresh Futures volunteering journey so far…

Tell us a bit about yourself!

I am a Scouser but have lived in the Huddersfield area since the 1980s. I am now retired and used to be a University lecturer in Manchester.

In the 80s and 90s I worked in the NHS for Huddersfield Health Authority.

How long have you been volunteering for Fresh Futures?

I have been volunteering for about 18 months for this charity and another local one.

Tell us more about your volunteering role:

My role is a very simple but enjoyable one which consists of visiting an elderly man who lives locally. We have a chat of an hour every week.

What’s a typical day volunteering like for you?

Its only an hour and we talk about where the conversation leads. The guy I have befriended is very interested in how Huddersfield is trying to survive as a town and follows the local news far better than I.

We talk a lot about the past and for instance, how public transport now seems so advanced, especially when you think of Huddersfield trams , branch railway lines and even trolley buses.

What made you want to start volunteering with Fresh Futures?

I wanted to give back a little in my retirement and do voluntary work, I am a bit chatty myself so doing a befriending role seemed ideal!

I am also interested in history so talking and listening to someone in their 90s about the local history of Huddersfield and surrounding towns is fascinating .

And finally, what advice would you give to people considering volunteering at Fresh Futures?

Try it out and be open to listening about the past and experiences of someone who has led a long and happy life.

The role can be very important to someone who may not get lots of visitors in a typical day or week. 

Lawrence Benson, a smiling bald man wearing glasses, is named Volunteer of the Month by Fresh Futures. The background includes playful cloud graphics and a gold trophy icon. His role is listed as Community Friend.
Volunteer of the Month – Lawrence

If you feel inspired to become a volunteer like Lawrence, or if you would like to volunteer in any way for our charity, please contact Lucy on 01484 519988 or [email protected]