ESEARCHERS for a new BBC series about childhood friendships is currently casting in the greater Ross-on-Wye area for people to take part.

The programme Will You Be My Friend? made by Five Mile Films, follows children aged five to eight who are finding it hard to make friends.

They may feel left out, overwhelmed in social situations, or unsure how to connect with other kids their age.

Across three half-days, a team of leading child psychologists will help them build the confidence and social skills to form real friendships.

Each child is then sensitively matched on a playdate with a potential new friend from their local area.

Researcher Jess Painter said: “As we’re casting in the Ross-on-Wye area, I thought Ross Gazette readers would be interested in being part of the process where friendship difficulties, loneliness, and the effects of modern childhood - from screens to the lingering social impact of Covid - are topics many parents are worrying about, so we felt this could genuinely resonate with local families.”

We all know what it feels like to try and make a friend. Whether it’s an awkward hello, turning up to a party alone, or telling a joke that doesn't quite land, the pursuit of friendship isn't always easy.

Now imagine navigating all of that as a little child.

Will You Be My Friend? explores the world of friendship through children - aged five to eight - who are struggling socially.

Some are shy, some feel like they don’t fit in, others simply haven’t found ‘their tribe’ yet. They want to make a friend - but don’t know where to start.

Enter The Friendship Centre. Here, a team of psychologists help children build the confidence and social skills to form real, lasting connections with other children.

Each child is then sensitively matched on a play date with a potential new friend from their local area.

Six weeks later, the production team return home to see how their new-found courage has helped at school, in the playground and beyond.

The series is a timely reminder that just one friend can completely change your life. Emma Loach, interim head of commissioning, documentaries said: "The longing to connect, to be seen, and to belong is universal.

“Whether you're five or fifty-five, I defy anyone to watch these children without seeing a little bit of themselves reflected.

"In a world that can feel increasingly disconnected, this series shows that the simplest gestures towards 'will you be my friend?’ - still have the power to change everything.

“Five Mile Films has brought us something very special, and we couldn't be prouder to give it a home on the BBC."

Nick Mirsky, chief executive of Five Mile Films said: "I don’t think there’s a commission I could be more thrilled to bring to Five Mile. Will You Be My Friend? will be joyful, warm and funny, but it also does something genuinely new – inviting us to look closely at the challenge and art of making friends."

The application to be part of Will You Be My Friend can be found at bemyfriend.tv .