Opportunity - Community People

Every young person in care should be offered the opportunity to pair with an Independent Visitor (IVs).

IVs are adults who are paired with a young person who is “looked after by the local authority”.

The IV provides fun, friendship and guidance to the young person.

The IV and the young person meet once a month for a few hours and also possible phone contact in between.

Together they decide what to do on their visits, often exploring local attractions or shared interests.

IVs are there to support the young person, listen to them and be a consistent, reliable friend.

Each IV, supports only one young person at a time, helping them to feel known and supported. Young People at times may also ask IVs to attend meetings with them.

No experience is required as full training is provided. Volunteers need to be over 18, committed, fun and enthusiastic and willing to give time consistently.

You will be committing to offering monthly visits for at least 2 years.

What rewards come with volunteering, and how does it create meaningful change?:

Being able to support a young person. Letting them know that they have a supportive adult that they can rely on and have fun with.

You can watch them develop and support them in this process, sometimes offering advice and tools for life, alongside sharing fun adventures.

Skills

Requirements:

No experience is required as full training is provided.

Volunteers need to be over 18, committed, fun and enthusiastic and willing to give time consistently.

You will be committing to offering monthly visits for at least 2 years.

DBS check required

Availability

	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
Morning	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Afternoon	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Evening	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

The matched young person and independent visitor decide between them when they will meet. However, most of the young people are school aged so visits tend to be on Saturdays and Sundays in the day time. However, this could change e.g. during school holidays.