In North Lincolnshire we are looking for more volunteers to take on a unique role and become an Independent Visitor to support, mentor and make a difference to a child or young person’s life.
An Independent Visitor is a volunteer who spends time with a child or young person who is in the care of the local authority and who has little or no contact with the adults in their family.
The role involves taking an interest in the life, hopes, dreams and concerns of a young person, listening to them, building a trusting relationship over time but most importantly to have fun.
One of our current Independent Visitors (IV) said: “I enjoy being an IV as it is a good excuse to have fun, keep young at heart and hopefully make a difference to a young person in care.
“Being an IV is a commitment that is achievable in an already busy life. We meet for 2 to 3 hours once a month and do fun activities which the young person can choose themselves. My young person enjoys art and crafts, so we have already had a go at mosaics, printing, and modelling clay.
“The best part of being an IV is the fact that I feel I have made a new friend who can talk to me about anything that is on their mind good or bad.
“The feeling that you have that you are helping also makes you feel good too.”
Once a volunteer is matched with a young person, they spend a few hours together once a month, and are there just for the young person, as an adult friend and stay with them regardless of other changes that may be happening in their lives.
Anyone aged over the age of 18 can apply to be an Independent Visitor, although we currently have young people waiting to be matched who would particularly benefit from a male adult and role model.
No experience is needed as training will be provided but references are required, and a Disclosure and Barring check will be made.
For more information visit the Independent Visitors Service page on our website or contact the Independent Visitors Co-ordinator by emailing independentvisitors@northlincs.gov.uk or calling 01724 297000 and choose option 6.
You could be just the person that one of our young people needs in their life.
