Befriending Trips 2026
This year we’ve had the fantastic opportunity to bring our Befrienders and Befriendees together to enjoy days out as a group. We also loved treating our befrienders to a day out at Modern One, a great way to catch up, share experiences and say thank you.
We are very grateful for our friends at Aegon who have helped cover the costs of our trips, including transport and lunches.
A trip to Modern One
In June, our volunteer befrienders gathered at Modern One for a day of discussion, food and art. It was a chance to celebrate the good work our volunteers do: visiting their befriendee regularly, having much-needed chats with someone whose disability impacts their ability to socialise and get out.
On the day, camaraderie was high as volunteers had the chance to share experiences, something they rarely do in their one-to-one roles.
A workshop with Victoria
After some coffees, teas and pastries, our volunteers settled into a workshop led by Victoria, Learning and Development Manager from Befriending Networks.
Volunteers were encouraged to think about the lives and needs of their befriendees and how befriending benefits them, creating this tree.
Lunch then a feast for the eyes
Next it was time for a delicious lunch at the Modern One café, before a tour of the grounds and galleries.
Tour guides, Polly and Duncan, pointed out the sneaky Tracy Emin sculpture that is easily missed, amongst all the other artworks. The day ended with complementary teas and coffees from the National Gallery of Scotland, a chance to chat to and find out more from our guides.
Adventures in North Berwick
In August, the befriending team decided to venture out of Edinburgh, and invited befriending matches to North Berwick. Our pairs of volunteer befrienders and their befriendees enjoyed this great opportunity to have a great day out and meet other matches.
It was a jam-packed day, starting with at the Scottish Seabird Centre. We enjoyed a talk on the balcony about local seabirds, whilst looking out to Bass Rock, asking questions and looking through binoculars.
Next, we headed down to the exhibition, where our pairs watched live streams of birds, played games, and grew knowledgeable about all things seabird!
Off to the beach
After being treated to a tasty lunch, another chance to chat together, we headed to North Berwick Beach Wheelchairs. There was a choice of wheelchairs on offer to suit all needs, so while some whizzed around on electric versions, two were pushed.
Being on the beach is often inaccessible for people with physical disabilities. Our befriendees loved the freedom these mobility aids gave them, as well as having sand under their wheels, and wind in their hair.
“I liked being with people and talking to people, as well as getting out of the house.” Lee – Befriendee
“Location was great, weather was great, people were great.” Stuart – Befriendee
“I loved it. It was the first time being out for 7 years and being around so many people, it went really well. “ Andrea – Befriendee
“The wheelchair on the beach – I loved it. I got help from another wheelchair user who helped me get the speed up. It was amazing haring around like a mad thing – super sonic.” Andrea – Befriendee
“It was great to see myself and my befriendee socialising with other befriendees and befrienders and spend time doing fun and learning activities.” Kostas – Befriender
Another opportunity to Connect
To celebrate the Ecas Connect Exhibition in September, the befriending team organised a group visit with befriending matches.
The Connect Exhibition featured art, creative writing, and videos of our tai chi and music groups, allowing Ecas participants to express and display their creativity. While most contributions were from our activity groups, two of our talented befriendees also had work on show.
We brought together various matches to indulge in mediterranean food at La Casa in Leith, before heading to the exhibition. Conversation was lively as people got to know each other.
A short walk to Out of the Blue Drill Hall brought us to the Connect exhibition, where everyone was impressed with what they saw. We then congregated at the café to chat further, giving befrienders and befriendees a chance to meet Ecas’s Chief Executive, Ally.
Thank you to our brilliant Befrienders and Befriendees for coming along on our trips over the last few months.
Thank you to the wonderful folk at all the places we visited for making us feel welcome.
A HUGE thank you to Aegon for making these trips possible.