Make a Difference to a Child in Care

Could you be a trusted and reliable friend to a child or young person aged 8-18 years who is in foster or residential care?

Spurgeon’s Child Care needs more volunteers in Bedfordshire to become Independent Visitors and the charity is holding open evenings on Monday 18th February at 7pm and Monday 10th March at 7.30pm in Bedford for anyone interested in finding out more.

Independent Visitors (IVs) offer friendship and support in a voluntary capacity to young people who are looked after by the local authority. IVs undertake activities and outings with the young person, sharing a one-to-one relationship and helping to build their confidence and self esteem. Outings depend on the age and interests of the young person and might include visits to local places of interests, the cinema, bowling or sporting activities. IVs can be reimbursed for travel and reasonable out of pocket expenses.

The only regular contact with adults that young people in foster homes or local authority care have may be their carers and professionals such as social workers and teachers. Having an IV who spends time just with them and who is outside the Social Service System can make a real difference to their lives. IVs are not substitute carers or social workers and are not expected to be skilled advocates or counsellors. All IVs receive induction, training and on-going support.

Spurgeon’s Child Care is particularly keen to recruit male volunteers as older boys often prefer to be matched with male volunteers. People from ethnic communities are also sought as children often want someone who can help them with their cultural identity.

To ensure all IVs are safe and suitable for the role, volunteers undergo a clear and comprehensive selection process involving reference checks, training, a home visit, panel interview and enhanced CRB disclosure before being matched with a young person. The next training course runs on three Saturdays - 19 April, 17 May and 7 June.

To find out more about this or other volunteering opportunities in South Bedfordshire, contact Lucy, Janet or Rebecca at Volunteer Centre South Bedfordshire, tel. 01525 850559, for a Volunteering Directory or to arrange an informal chat.

Ends