For more than 30 years, David Stallard has been devoted to helping people with ill mental health feel “valued and appreciated”.
The 73-year-old, from Fortrose, has been the driving force behind one of the biggest Highland charities that fights isolation and offers support to those most vulnerable.
Mr Stallard has been a pillar of strength for thousands of people over the years, having worked as a social worker across the Highlands, including Inverness and Fort William.
His greatest achievement, however, was helping set up Befrienders Highland which strives to reduce loneliness through the simple act of offering kindness and friendship.
Recognition from the King for dedication and hard work
The charity was launched in the 1990s after Mr Stallard and members of the Inverness Action for Mental Health group identified a gap in the support available for people with mental illnesses.
Led by his innovative and wide-reaching vision, Befrienders Highland has since grown from strength to strength – changing the lives of many by improving their self-esteem.
Mr Stallard has now been awarded a BEM in the King’s Birthday Honours in recognition of his remarkable work and character.
Speaking to The Press and Journal, he said his time with the charity has been the most rewarding experience – having seen it grow and help so many.
Mr Stallard added: “I was touched to had been put forward by the charity that I helped set up and worked with for the last 30 years.
“I think one of the most important things the charity gives to people is a sense of being valued – showing them somebody likes them and wants to spend time with them.
“It’s been a very rewarding experience. I’ve put a lot of time and effort – and we have faced many challenges – but all of this has in some way brought us closer together.”
‘Most rewarding 30 years of helping people’
Befrienders Highland now support around 150 lonely or isolated people who suffer from ill mental health or memory loss.
The charity offers face-to-face, letter, email and telephone befriending with volunteers, reaching out to people in the most remote Highland areas.
As a convenor of the board, Mr Stallard laid the foundation of making Befrienders Highland a welcoming place where everyone is equals and highly regarded.
During his career, he has been awarded Highland Third Sector Initiative Board Trustee of the Year, while the charity has won HTSI Third Sector Organisation of the Year.
Mr Stallard added: “When we talk about anxiety and depression, people’s sense of their own self-worth is often very poor and we really try to help boost that.
“You can see the progress that people we’ve befriended make – from feeling anxious about even going out through the door to being able to go out and meet other groups.
“It’s been wonderful to see all of the friendships that people have formed over the years – both for the people who we have helped and the volunteers too.”
Conversation