Ellis and Ross: a befriending story

I genuinely love the activities Ross and I get up to. I work solo a lot of the time in my job, and volunteering as a befriender gives me a chance to meet up and do things I wouldn’t usually do. It’s also a great feeling to support someone and incredibly fulfilling.

We play pool and football most weeks. Depending on the weather, we also love to take long walks.

I think befriending gives people someone they can see as a good friend. Share's students have people around them at all times, but a lot of them are staff. To have someone they see as a friend is invaluable. Most times when I turn up, I see Ross waiting for me outside the house and it makes me so happy to see it means that much to him. What is such a small thing for us means so much to them, and can be one of the highlights of their week. I’m reminded of that every single time when I see how excited he is to leave the house, and that feeling is so amazing.

Ross will constantly tell me before and after our activity, 'I like you'. Despite knowing each other for over a year, he says these three words like he has just figured it out each time! It will never not put a smile on my face. 

Ellis, befriender