What is a Volunteer Independent Visitor?

Independent Visitors are adults who volunteer with the CGL – Independent Visitor Service to offer one-to-one support to children and young people who are living with a foster family or in residential care.
The volunteer is separate from social services, and all other agencies and is there just for the young person. The aim of the role is about providing the young person with the time and space to talk, feel listened to, and valued, and have some fun with their volunteer.

Independent Visitors are there to provide a consistent, reliable, and positive adult role model to the young person. They are volunteers who give back their own free time to help make a difference in a child or young person’s life. The volunteer will offer confidential support to a young person who has been specifically matched to them with similar interests and hobbies. The role is on a long-term basis.

Who can become an independent visitor?

CGL – Independent Visitor Service are looking for fun, reliable, and enthusiastic volunteers from all different cultures, backgrounds and experiences who have a genuine interest in making a difference in the lives of children and young people.

What does an independent visitor do?

You’ll meet with your young person once a month on a long-term basis or for as long as they want an Independent Visitor.  Their young people are aged between 8 to 18.5 years old. You can say if you want to volunteer with a particular age group.
You will decide with your young person what to do but activities could include going to the cinema, bowling, playing football, going to a restaurant, riding a bike, or walking in a park.  CGL – Independent Visitor Service will aim to match you with a child you share common interests with.
As an Independent Visitor, your responsibilities are:

• meet once a month with the young person
• support the young person with their hobbies and interests
• offer and provide emotional support to the young person when appropriate
• complete brief feedback after each visit
• commit to the role for a minimum of 2 years

To find out more about the service, please use the link below:

https://tinyurl.com/4ed66vbe

How to become a volunteer ?

If you’re interested in becoming an Independent Visitor, you can find out more about the role and how to apply by sending an email to:
peshva.sharif@cgl.org.uk or michelle.jones2@cgl.org.uk