Bryson Volunteer Befriending Services celebrate award

This is the first time a sustainable development award has been given to a Northern Ireland organization; therefore it’s not surprising to learn that a special event was held at The MAC in Belfast.

Whilst Bryson now employs over 650 staff, this award also recognizes the valuable input of the organization’s volunteers. Providing 22,000 individual services to households each day, staff and volunteers make a significant contribution to the lives of people right across Northern Ireland, included are the services of the Bryson Care Volunteer Befrienders.

You may know some of these wonderful individuals because of their involvement locally with The Safe & Well Project (Down & Lisburn areas).

Under the direction of Valerie Robinson, Bryson Charitable Care focuses specifically on delivering a befriending service for those aged 65 years and older who are geographically and / socially isolated, and this service is steadily growing from strength to strength since it was established in July 2010.

The Queen made the award to Bryson on the advice of the Prime Minister, who is assisted by an advisory committee which includes representatives of government, industry and commerce, and the trade unions. 

The Volunteer Befriending Service is a relatively new and innovative venture which Bryson Care is tasked with managing and developing, in order to enable older people within our local communities to remain healthy and live independently in their own homes.