A VOLUNTEER for a children’s charity has spoken of why he became a friend.
Terry Hague is an Older Friend at The Friendship for Children Project – based on the Big Brother – Big Sister movement in America. The charity was set up 30 years ago and has helped around 1,000 children across Warwickshire who have been referred to them by social services. The scheme matches a referred child, the ‘Younger Friend’, with a fully vetted volunteer, the ‘Older Friend’ to provide care and interest for around three hours a week.
Terry, who served in the Army for 22 years, joined The Friendship project around six years ago.
He told The Observer: “I became a volunteer because I read the findings of a Government body that stated children who have an unhappy childhood are the ones most likely to suffer from mental health issues later in life, and I felt I had to do my bit.
“I’m overwhelmed by the progress the children make from when we first see them to when they move on.
“We are extremely proud of what we do, and over the years we have helped over 1,000 children reach adulthood and become well rounded individuals with new and extended life skills and increased confidence.”
The project currently has friendships with 47 children but are looking to recruit more volunteers as they have a similar number on a waiting list.
To donate or become a volunteer, contact Fiona Roche at [email protected] or call 0782 8078 015.
“I spent 22 years in the Army and overcame my fear of heights to become an antenna rigger” he told the Observer.
“I went on several overseas postings including two years in Northern Ireland on covert operations which involved climbing towers in the dead of night to provide communications for the SAS operations.”
