Volunteers from North Hertfordshire are needed to offer one-to-one support sessions for young people who are currently in care along the border with Bedfordshire.
The project – called independent visitors – is currently being run in Bedfordshire by community charity Groundwork East and funded by Central Bedfordshire Council.
There are a large number of young people on the waiting list for support, so Groundwork is calling for volunteers to sign up. Young people in South Bedfordshire are ideally placed for volunteers in North Hertfordshire.
As a volunteer on the scheme, you will receive full training and your expenses paid. Volunteering offers flexible hours and is ideal for someone with previous experience of working with children or young people, or for someone who would like to gain experience to complement their studies.
Young people on the scheme have low to medium needs and face various personal and social issues, which could include attainment, attendance and behaviour at school and social, emotional and personal well-being. Together, young people and their mentors work to build up the young person’s emotional resilience, social skills and achievement in school through regular, informal one-to-one sessions led by the young person.
Nicky is a volunteer on the independent visitors scheme:
“I have gained a better understanding of the issues facing a looked after child and I have really enjoyed building up a relationship of trust with the young person that I am supporting. My young person and I have a genuine connection and I hope that this will develop into a life-long friendship.”
To sign up as a mentor or independent visitor, call Lisa Steeples on 07702 941440 or email lisa.steeples@groundwork.org.uk