Independent visitors

Independent visitors are adults who volunteer to spend some of their free time regularly with a child or young person, making friends with them and encouraging them with interests.
They are there to be your friend, to listen to you and to help you talk and think about everyday things. They are someone to spend time with you, doing the things you want to do. This might be bowling, swimming, theatre and much more.
Independent Visitors do not get paid – they do it because they want to.

How do I get an Independent Visitor?
If you are a looked after young person who has little or no contact from your family, then you may like to be matched up with an Independent Visitor. Volunteer IV's are all different, which means you can suggest the sort of person you would like to be linked up with, and we will try and find the right person for you to have as your I.V.

If you are interested in the scheme and would like to know more, please speak to your social worker, who can make a referral for you.

What do young people say?

"Its a good opportunity to do things that you want to do with someone - you have someone seperate to talk to seperate from your family and social service"

"I think its a great experience"

"we do everything that I like such as going cinema, ice skating, swimming and more".