Volunteer befrienders needed in Wiltshire

Volunteers are needed to become befrienders for young people living within the care system in Wiltshire.

‘Voice’, the Wiltshire children’s rights service, is looking for committed and enthusiastic people to become independent visitors. These volunteers would spare a few hours each month to befriend young people living in foster or residential care.

The Wiltshire Council-run Independent Visitor Scheme provides visitors for those young people who are in care and who have little or no contact from their parents. This gives them the opportunity to meet up regularly with someone who is independent, and there just for them.

Visitors get to know young people initially through spending time with them chatting or sharing in their interests, and continue to offer them support and encouragement throughout the time they are in care.

Volunteers should be over 21, and be able to make a long-term commitment to meet with a young person for a couple of hours approximately twice a month.

No formal qualifications are required, although enthusiasm, a sense of humour and an ability to listen and relate to young people and their issues and interests are all important.

All volunteers are recruited subject to Criminal Records Bureau clearance and other checks, and are offered relevant training, which must be completed before being matched with a young person.

Independent Visitor Scheme manager Sheila Lupton said: “Young people in care often experience a lot of disruption in their lives.  An independent visitor can be a consistent figure in their lives and someone they can talk to who is outside the care system.

“Both young people and volunteers involved in this scheme think it is great, so anyone who gets on well with young people, understands their issues and can share their interests, may be just the type of person we are looking for.

“While all applications are considered on their individual merit, we would particularly encourage applications from ethnic minority groups, younger volunteers, and male volunteers, as these groups are currently under represented in our pool of volunteers.”

Anyone interested in becoming an independent visitor should contact ‘Voice’ on 01373 859485 or by e-mail on iv@ypvoice.co.uk.

For more information on all services provided by Wiltshire Council, please visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk.