Adam’s Volunteering Story
Independent Visitors are volunteers who befriend and spend time with a particular child or young person who is in the care of the Local Authority and involves building a long-term and trusting relationship with them, a relationship which they most likely do not have with any other adult, and one that the adult is not paid to be there for. They are there because they want to be, care, and want to help.
The Independent Visitor and the child or young person do a variety of activities together, depending on their interests and their age. This can range from going for a coffee and a chat, going to the cinema, or a football match, any activities that explore new opportunities, skills, hobbies, and experiences for them. These activities are fundamental in helping to build resilience and life skills for the child or young person and means that they can enjoy life freely outside of the care system and have time to enjoy things that they may never have been able to before. Independent Visitors can also attend their child or young person’s review meetings to express their views and feelings, as long as they agree for them too.
Jenny, from the Central Volunteer Team at Somerset Council, spoke to Adam recently to chat to him and gain insight about his involvement of being a volunteer with the Route1 Team.
What does your volunteering role involve Adam?
I currently work with a young man, of whom I see every 3 -4 weeks. I act as a stable adult relationship in his life, and our time together includes going swimming, out for food, and to the cinema. We have formed a really good relationship in the time that we have spent together in my volunteering role
Why did you start volunteering with Route1?
My wife is an Independent Visitor too, so I experienced the role through her and through her relationship with her young person. I have no children of my own, but I knew that I had many qualities that would be useful to children and young people in need, and the time to spend with them too, so the role was a natural fit!
What keeps you volunteering in this particular role?
Honestly, I feel like I have an obligation now to continue volunteering for sake of my young person, and our forming relationship. I have really enjoyed getting to know him and our relationship has grown from tentative to now feeling that it really has developed for us both. There is also so much satisfaction through its continuation.
What is your favourite thing about volunteering if you had to choose one thing?
The forming and establishing of my relationship with my young person. My young person was already quite settled, luckily. In our training we were given the worst-case scenarios, but he is in a loving foster care environment. Getting to know him and developing our relationship has been particularly gratifying to me.
What difference has volunteering made to you personally?
I have not had the chance to reflect on this very much, but I have realised that I put myself outside of my comfort zone, and developed a relationship with this young man unlike other I have done so in the past unless they were family members. This makes me feel more confident.
What would you say to someone who has never volunteered?
Just do it! Everybody always thinks that they are too busy, but actually most of us do have spare time to offer and you can put yourself outside of your comfort zone and give something back. I was lucky and I grew up in loving home and did not have the same hardships these children have. I only give 3-4 hours every few weeks, but in that short amount of time the benefits are monumental to that child and have a massive effect. Just get stuck in!
Adam adds that the role is definitely a two-way relationship, he gives a lot back to his young person, but it is so gratifying to him as well. He really praises the support from the Route1 team and the brilliant training courses they have. They really helped him to understand the difficulties and obstacles that young people and children can face. He and his fellow volunteers always have catch up meetings, and somebody is always there to pick up the phone if needed. Adam feels very supported in his role and with his service.
If you have the time to give to a child or a young person in need, you can find out more information and apply directly online at here. What are you waiting for!