Job Description

Children and Young Person Volunteer Befriender (Male Independent Visitor)

Location:

Houghton-le-Spring, Sunderland

Jack (11) likes to do anything out and about, he loves trains and being active. He is very active, loves sports, loves walks, loves playing outside, loves to be on his bike. An independent visitor would allow Jack to be taken to do activities and to keep him out of the area so that he has other things to do rather than playing out.

Overview

Are you a male who could spare a few hours a month to make a difference to a young person?

If you want to volunteer, have fun, and befriend a young person, this is the perfect volunteer opportunity for you. Become an independent visitor for a child or young person living in care.

What is an independent visitor?

An independent visitor is a volunteer who visits, befriends and provides support to a young person living in care such as in a residential unit or foster care. Young people are usually aged between 8 and 18 years.

We ask that you can give a young person a few hours per month for a minimum of 12 months. This is because you will play an important part in the young person's development.

Volunteers will meet the young person for a minimum of 2 hours once per month to do activities together. Activities can be anything from football in the park, seeing the latest films or other things you both want to do.

Budget and travel expenses are provided each month.

Please see the full role description to further information.

Quotes from Young People:

'Improve communication skills help to express myself and share thoughts.'

'If you have the same interests it is very good, it is hard to find people with same interests and time, I would really recommend the service to others.'

'She is kind.'

'She listens to me.'

'She always turns up when she says she will.'

'Brings me treats sometimes.'

Quotes from IV Volunteers:

'I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as a independent visitor.'

'The family have been really supportive of the scheme and myself as an individual.'

'I am honoured to have spent the last 2 years getting to know my young person.'

'Having an IV service in place for young people, is a great service that is a must for young people. There are young people who have no one in their lives that they can claim as their own, such as a relative or family member and an IV can provide (in my opinion) quality one on one time that can help towards a young person not feeling so isolated.'

Practical Considerations

This role is available to over 18's.

An enhanced DBS will be required prior to starting volunteering. (Paid for by the project).

Attend training prior to volunteering and complete full induction into the role.

This opportunity is available to both car and public transport users.

If you have any questions or queries please get in touch with our staff for a chat

Kara Hunter

iv@nepacs.co.uk

07483 345788

or

Volunteering@nepacs.co.uk

Job Type: Volunteer

Work Location: In person