Independent Visitor Volunteer

About us:

Advocacy 1st offers a free, independent advocacy service to people who use social or healthcare services. We help people understand their rights and ensure they are included in the decision-making for their care.

About Independent Visitor Volunteers:

An Independent Visitor is an adult volunteer who befriends a young person in care and develops a long-term friendship with them. This often involves helping young people develop new interests, skills and hobbies or going on outings to the cinema, bowling or just a walk in the park.

The aim is to provide support, confidence, and fun experiences outside of the young person’s daily environment.

• Visit a young person once a month and become a trusted adult friend to them
• Build a trusting, consistent and positive relationship with the young person
• Provide opportunities to try new activities and spend time with the young person away from their placement
• Provide visit reports and feedback after visits to help us monitor and improve the service

About you

• You have interpersonal skills and can easily build rapport and identify with young people from diverse backgrounds
• You have excellent communication skills and good report writing skills.
• You are willing to commit to your Independent Visitor role for at least 1 year
•  You will be required to have an Enhanced DBS check; we will carry out safer recruitment checks

What will you gain?

• You’ll make a real difference as a positive, stable influence in a young person’s life
• You’ll have fun, create memories and build a meaningful bond
• We’ll give you valuable experience so that you can develop skills in mentoring, communication, and young people’s support
• We’ll give you access to training and job opportunities