Vibrant Health Advocates – Verdigris runs on the generosity of this community — the volunteers who give their time, the donors who support our work, and the organisations who partner with us to reach the people who need us most.
Dumbarton is a town that looks after its own, and we have been consistently moved by how willing people here are to step up for their neighbours. Whether you have a few hours a month to walk alongside someone who needs company, whether you can make a financial contribution to help us keep the programme running, or whether your organisation wants to deepen its connection to this community, there is a place for you in what we do.
Become a befriending volunteer and walk alongside an isolated resident of Dumbarton on a regular basis — your consistent presence can transform someone's week. We provide full training, ongoing support, and a community of fellow volunteers; all you need to bring is your time and your willingness to listen.
Sign up to volunteerYour donation directly funds our coordinator time, volunteer training, and the small costs that keep the programme running — from travel reimbursement for volunteers to the cups of tea that follow our group walks. Every pound given to Verdigris stays in Dumbarton and works for Dumbarton.
Support our workIf you work in health, social care, housing, or the community and voluntary sector in West Dunbartonshire, we want to hear from you — referral partnerships, funding partnerships, and workplace volunteering arrangements all help us reach more isolated residents and respond more quickly. Let's talk about what we can do together.
Start a conversation
Volunteering as a befriending walker is one of the most straightforward and rewarding things you can do. You commit to meeting regularly — usually once a week — with an isolated resident for a walk in Dumbarton. The pace, the route, the conversation: all of it is shaped around the person you are walking with.
Before you start, you'll complete our comprehensive volunteer training programme, which covers active listening, safeguarding, and practical safety. We then match you carefully with a participant whose interests and availability are a good fit for yours. Throughout your time with Verdigris, you'll have a named coordinator to call on and regular peer support gatherings to share experiences with other volunteers.
No qualifications are required — only the willingness to show up, listen, and walk at someone else's pace. We have trained over 80 volunteers since our founding, and many tell us that volunteering has been as meaningful for them as it has been for the people they walk alongside.
Become a volunteerIf you live in Dumbarton and feel isolated — or if you know someone who does — you can refer yourself or someone else directly to our programme. You don't need a GP or social worker to get involved. Simply get in touch and we'll have a friendly conversation about whether our befriending walks could help.
Self-referrals are very welcome.
You can reach us by email or phone, and we aim to respond to every enquiry within two working days. Nothing is too small to ask about.