Could you be a positive role model who supports young people in care in Rochdale?

Advocacy Focus, a registered charity of over 20 years, is looking for volunteers in Rochdale to befriend and support young people in care.

Each year, the charity helps over 3,500 people with their health and social care matters enabling them to live the lives they want to live. From April, it will be delivering its free, confidential service in Rochdale and it is completely independent of local authorities, the NHS and Social Services.

The rewarding volunteer role of an Independent Visitor supports a young person in care by listening to, guiding and advising, as well as trying new activities and spending quality time together.

If you can spare 3-4 hours per month to volunteer for Advocacy Focus as an Independent Visitor, you will be playing a vital and valuable role that can make a positive difference to a child’s life. It is reported that Independent Visitors can encourage children to take more productive paths in life.

Often being part of the ‘care system’, children can feel isolated and lonely, up to that point they may not have had many positive role models in their life. They may see social workers and other professionals on a day-to-day basis but may feel as though they have no one to personally support and listen to them.

An Independent Visitor can sometimes be the only person who is not paid to be there for them. They are called ‘Independent Visitors’ because they are truly independent from social services and care home professionals.

Independent Visitors befriend and support young people by:

• Developing long-term friendships
• Listening to them and ensuring they have someone who is there for them
• Encouraging them to express any concerns
• Guiding them through sometimes difficult or confusing times in their life
• Motivate and inspire them to develop new interests, skills or hobbies
• Take them on outings to places like the cinema or going for a walk
• Encourage educational journeys and development
• Maintain regular contact via phone or email
• Looking after their personal safety or welfare

The kind of friendship offered by a volunteer Independent Visitor cannot be provided by professional services and is something that is highly important in a young person’s life.

You would look out for them and guide them as you would your own children. Children who feel they have someone who is genuinely looking out for their best interests feel they can communicate more openly and effectively, and are more likely to be open about issues that are affecting them.

Advocacy Focus is looking for people to become an Independent Visitor, it can be a truly rewarding experience for you and for the person you support. Sometimes people can gain a friend for life.

Each of our volunteers are carefully matched with a young person in care, this can be based on where you live and your interests and hobbies. People of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to join the programme.

To find out more about Advocacy Focus or volunteer opportunities, you can attend a launch event at the Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre on 29 March 2019 between 10am and 2pm.

If you are interesting in becoming an Independent Visitor, download the role profile here:

• www.advocacyfocus.org.uk/volunteer-independent-visitor-rochdale

For more information and to apply, contact Nicola, the Volunteer Manager at Advocacy Focus:

nicolam@advocacyfocus.org.uk