Voluntary Role: Independent Visitor (Young Persons Befriender)
Service: Hull Independent Visitors Project
Base: Kenworthy Hous , Hull
Reports to: Richard Mullins/ Erica Hill
Purpose of role:
The role of an Independent Visitor enables children and young people living in care to have and build a trusting relationship with a reliable adult who is completely independent of all the professionals they encounter. For some, their Independent Visitor may be the only constant adult they have in their life.
For many children and young people, living in care can be difficult but, having someone there just for them, someone showing a genuine interest, and who listens to them can make a big difference. The presence of an Independent Visitor in a child’s / young person's life can contribute to improvements with their behaviours, confidence, and self-worth.
As an Independent Visitor, you’ll be given travel expenses and a budget to meet with the child / young person you’re matched with. You'll be meeting them once a month for a couple of hours to do a fun activity together. Together you’ll decide on where you’ll go and what you’ll do. This can be anything from bowling, cinema trips, going to the park, chatting over a milkshake at a café, etc. You’ll help the young person to do what they enjoy, maybe even try new things, and provide them with a positive adult role model at the same time.
You'll meet with the child / young person on a long-term basis or for as long as they’d like an Independent Visitor. Our young people are aged between 5-18 years although we do continue 19 in required longer. If you have preference to volunteer with a particular age group, we will try and accommodate that. We’ll also aim to match you with a child you share common interests with. You’ll have the opportunity to hear about the child / young person before a match is arranged. It could take some time for a child / young person to trust adults, so consistency, patience and resilience is key to the role.
You do not need experience of working with children and young people, but an interest in their development and welfare is essential. Training and access to ongoing support will be provided throughout your volunteering experience with us.
Job Type: Volunteer
Pay: Up to £0.01 per month
Benefits:
Application question(s):
- Able to commit to at least two years as a volunteer
Work Location: In person
