Befrienders Highlands thanks leader who has retired after almost 30 years at the helm of the charity which helps to reduce loneliness and social isolation
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A voluntary leader who helped steer a good idea into a respected charity has retired after almost 30 years in the role.
David Stallard has retired as convenor of the board of Befrienders Highland which helps to reduce loneliness and isolation by matching people with a trained volunteer.
Mr Stallard, of the Black Isle, was the first person to volunteer in that role which he has held for most of the time – apart from when he had a social work management role which meant a conflict of interest due to budget management responsibilities.
Susan White, executive director of Befrienders Highland, said it was an amazing achievement for any individual.
“There are not enough words to thank David sufficiently for all the support, time, kindness and sage advice he has given over those years, steering the organisation from a good idea, developed by a small group of folk back in the early 1990s, into the well respected charity that we are today, with 10 employees, over 160 volunteers, offering friendship and alleviating loneliness for people with mental health challenges, adult carers and people with memory loss across the whole Highland area,” she said.
She said the board directors, staff and over 600 members of Befrienders Highland were indebted to him and wished him a happy retirement.
Befrienders Highland seeks volunteers to help tackle loneliness
Keith Walker has now taken on the role.
