Celebrating friendship

A WEEK long 'Celebration of Friendship' will take place in the region next month - and everyone's invited.

The organisers hope to bring people together to enjoy coffee, cake and conversations, in a bid to spark new friendships and be the catalyst for ongoing acts of kindness in Dumfries and Galloway.

It is being launched by the A Listening Ear initiative and is inspired by the United Nations International Day of Friendship.

There will be ‘Friendly Cup’ sessions in North West Castle, Stranraer on July 29, and in The Usual Place, Dumfries on July 30.

Others are also encouraged to host their own Friendly Cup events in cafes, community venues, workplaces and care homes.

And nominations are also sought for the inaugural Liz Arkless Award for Friendship. It is named after a Wigtownshire stalwart who was always there for other. The charity now wants to hear about people (over 18) who have performed outstanding or life changing acts of kindness/friendship.

Chair of A Listening Ear Penny Halliday said: “Hosting the D&G Celebration of Friendship this year is an opportunity to celebrate the friendships we have formed, but more importantly to reach out to everyone in Dumfries and Galloway; those who have friendships to celebrate, those who want to become a volunteer befriender, those who want to access our befriending services and those who know someone who might benefit from an introduction to A Listening Ear.

"Everyone is invited to get involved in the D&G Celebration of Friendship and we hope it will have a positive impact in communities across the region.”

For more information and to nominate, go to https://a-listening-ear.org/ or email [email protected]