NYAS (National Youth Advocacy Service) is a leading rights-based charity ensuring we listen to what children and young people want, care about what they say and do everything we can to empower them to have a voice. We ensure their wishes and feelings are expressed and acted upon to improve their situation and help them build a better future. NYAS is the largest national provider of Independent Visitor Services across England and Wales, so we have lots of experience of supporting volunteers in this rewarding role. We would like to expand our national network of Independent Visitors and hope this leaflet gives you the information to help you decide if you want to join our team. Becoming an Independent Visitor can be very rewarding for you and life changing for a young person in care, being a consistent and supportive person in their life, helping them learn to trust, have fun and grow.
Key information
- Duration: Time limited
- Start Date: 1st July 2023
- Volunteer: Monthly
- Availability: Monday AM, Monday PM, Monday Evening, Tuesday AM, Tuesday PM, Tuesday Evening, Wednesday AM, Wednesday PM, Wednesday Evening, Thursday AM, Thursday PM, Thursday Evening, Friday AM, Friday PM, Friday Evening, Saturday AM, Saturday PM, Saturday Evening, Sunday AM, Sunday PM, Sunday Evening
- Tasks: What does an Independent Visitor do? An Independent Visitor is a volunteer who befriends and develops a long-term friendship with a young person in care. This can involve helping young people develop new interests, skills and hobbies or going on outings such as to the cinema, bowling or just a walk in the park. The volunteers are called ‘Independent Visitors’ because they are a truly ‘independent’ person outside the care system giving the young person continuity, which is something not always possible with changing carers and social workers.
- Training: Who can be an Independent Visitor? We are looking for adults of all ages and from all walks of life who would like to make a significant and positive difference to the life of a young person. Do I need any special experience? No specific formal qualifications are required. All we ask is that you are open minded, patient, responsible and have a good sense of humour with the ability to relate well to young people and have a genuine interest in their well-being. Every young person in care has different needs but is carefully matched so that they have some common interests with the Independent Visitor
- Skill And Qualifications Required: What time and commitment do I need to give? We ask that you are willing to commit to a few hours once a month for a minimum of two years and be a consistent and trusted friend in a young person’s life. Many young people in the care system have experienced repeated changes and often you will be the only person in their life that is not paid to be with them. What support will I receive? Young people who want an Independent Visitor may be facing difficulties and situations you may not be familiar with which is why you will receive regular one to one support from your local NYAS Co-ordinator. You will also be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses. This includes activities undertaken with your young person and an allowance for travel expenses. Any necessary training will be provided.
- Interests: Children
- Suitability: 18 and over
- Activities: Befriending
- Skills: Listening
- Home Based: No
- DBS Check: Yes
