Befriending Map of Gaps - Scotland 2020

In January 2020 Alex Hempton, a 3rd year Marketing Management student from Edinburgh Napier University, joined the team at Befriending Networks on a 5-month Research & Marketing placement aiming to update the Befriending Map of Gaps.  
The placement turned out a little differently than expected. As responses to Alex’ questionnaire began to arrive from befriending organisations and projects across Scotland, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic began to hit. Despite this he continued with the research and we are now able to launch the Befriending Map of Gaps 2020.  
Findings from the research suggest that there remain significant gaps in befriending provision in Scotland. The variations in local authority areas are also significant with varying levels of provision and varying client groups. Increasing numbers of referrals result in longer waiting lists, leading to stretched services.