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Motion · S6M-19495 · 31 Oct 2025

Celebrating Befriending Week 2025

Lodged by Emma Harper Standard Motion 24 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament recognises Befriending Week 2025, which takes place from 1 to 7 November and is a national campaign celebrating and raising awareness of befriending and its positive impact on individuals and communities across Scotland; notes that Befriending Week was established in 2012 by Befriending Networks and has grown year on year through collaboration with its membership, with events and activities taking place nationwide; acknowledges that the theme for 2025 is Collaboration and Partnership, highlighting the vital role befriending plays in tackling isolation, reducing loneliness and fostering meaningful social connections; commends the 104 Scottish member organisations of Befriending Networks and the thousands of volunteer befrienders who give their time to support people of all ages; congratulates the 21 Scottish organisations that have achieved the Quality in Befriending Award and the 10 that hold this award at excellence level, which include the Dumfries and Galloway Befriending Project in South Scotland; recognises the contribution of over 1.6 million volunteer befriending hours annually across the UK and the more than 21,000 active befriending matches facilitated by Befriending Networks; expresses concern at the increasing strain on the sector, with 72% of services reporting rising demand and an estimated 7,400 people currently waiting to be matched with a volunteer befriender, and notes the call for greater support and investment in befriending services to ensure their sustainability and continued impact in building a more connected and compassionate Scotland.

Supporters (24)

Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.