News / BBC befriends
THE SHETLAND Befriending Scheme has been safeguarded from making cutbacks thanks to a £54,107 grant from the BBC Children in Need appeal.
The scheme was under threat as part of the Shetland Islands Council belt tightening exercise that is starting to squeeze services throughout the isles.
Welcoming the award, Voluntary Action Shetland executive officer Catherine Hughson said: “This service is funded through a partnership involving the local authority, through the council’s children’s services.
“There were fears that if the Children in Need application was unsuccessful, this service would have had to be cut back.
“Now that this funding has been secured, we can continue to support these vulnerable clients at the same level as in previous years.”
Befriending offers supportive, reliable relationships through volunteer befrienders to people who would otherwise be socially isolated.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.