Volunteer Befriender (Independent Visitor)

Are you looking for a long-term, fun volunteering opportunity that fits around other commitments? Please reach out to us if this appeals ...

Children who grow up in the care system can face a chaotic and challenging time. Their Social Workers may change, foster care placements can break down and they can be moved from school to school. This would be difficult for any child to handle, but for children who have already been seriously failed and harmed by adults, it creates a downward spiral which progressively erodes their trust in adults, their confidence in the world around them - and their future life chances. Studies have shown that having just one consistent, trustworthy, supportive adult in their life can change that trajectory completely. Someone the child can look up to, rely on, depend on and turn to for advice, for comfort, and even to share a joke or celebrate an achievement. Someone who knows them well, and remains in their life unflinchingly through good times and bad. That single, stable presence in their life is an Independent Visitor.

Could it be you? Do you like having fun? Would you be able to commit long-term: like a godparent? If so, please consider becoming an Independent Visitor. You might transform someone's life chances - one outing at a time!

We currently have an 11-year boy living in Whittlesey waiting for us to find him an Independent Visitor.

All volunteers receive regular training and development / support, plus reimbursement of reasonable expenses and travel costs.