Pauline Cooke left in June of this year, after we were unable to secure replacement funding for her role as Volunteers Manager.

The existing 40 matches between asylum seekers, refugees and their befrienders continue, supported by a small group of experienced befrienders. However, although demand for befriending support remains high, we have closed the service to new referrals, and to new volunteers.

We continue to try and find replacement sources of funding for this work, and have produced a detailed evaluation of the work in conjunction with existing and former users of the services, volunteers and other services across the city.

You can read the full report here – which we are using to support our funding proposals.