Young people in care, would you like someone to have fun with, try new things with, listen to you and support you? Do you live in the North East? Then why not ask your social worker to get in touch with us and we will do the rest! Adults, would you like to volunteer with us and make a real difference to a young person in care? Do you have a few hours a month to spare on an evening or weekend when
you could take a young person out and spend some fun time together? If so, then you could be that person we are looking for! No qualifications are necessary, however full training will be given, plus volunteer expenses, activity costs and mileage will be paid. An Independent Visitor (IV) is a volunteer, independent of social services, whose role is to befriend a young person in residential care or a foster home. They are an ‘adult friend’ who will visit and provide time and support to someone who has little or no contact with members of their own family. As with any friendship, this relationship may last for a number of years, so needs building over time and isn’t a short-term commitment. An Independent Visitor (IV) would be available to take the young person on outings or activities, to clubs, out for meals or just to offer friendly advice when needed. Activities would always be young person led. The relationship between an IV and a young person is an exclusive one. An IV will be matched with one young person at a time. The ‘matching’ process is two-way, with both the young person and the IV deciding whether they think they are suitable for one another from the information provided. If both parties are keen to proceed then an initial meeting is set up with the young person, the volunteer co-ordinator and IV. If that goes ok and both parties want to go ahead, the matching process is successful. Contact us:
North East Independent Visitor Service
Action For Children
Wesley House
Bond Street
Benwell
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE48BA
0191 2724990
