International Women's Day is a time to celebrate the incredible accomplishments of women around the world. Here at Changing Futures, we want to celebrate our fantastic female volunteers and befrienders who play a big part in the Independent Visitor programme!
Independent Visitors (IV) are a group of unsung heroes who give their time, energy and commitment to support and empower children and young people who are in the care system. These volunteers are often the only non-professional adult role model in their lives, providing them with support, guidance, and a listening ear when they need it most.
Independent visitors are matched with a child or young person who is in care and build a relationship with the child, visit them regularly, take them on outings, and provide a sense of stability and consistency in their lives.
These volunteers are essential in providing a sense of normality and support for children who may have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. Our volunteers recognise that providing a safe and nurturing relationship can make a world of difference in a young person's life.
Some of our female volunteers are the most incredible women I’ve ever met. We have such a range- from ones who love a gossip over a Nandos, remembering the dramas of being 14, to the ones who have introduced girls into sports and that your gender doesn’t determine your success! Most importantly all our female volunteers have shown our girls and boys what a reliable, stable, consistent adult can look like." - Olivia and Jodie, Family Support Workers & IV Coordinators
Our female volunteers help not only to empower and support young women but to have fun and share interests! This is especially important as our female volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that their young people have a great experience and engage well with the IV scheme. We understand how big of a difference it can make in a young woman's life by having someone to be there and support her throughout.
Today is the perfect opportunity to celebrate all of our fantastic female volunteers as they continue their befriending journey, and we want to hear from you! If you feel inspired, and want to make a real difference in a young woman’s life, becoming a befriender is the perfect opportunity. We are looking for volunteers who are 21+, can commit to seeing a young person for at least a couple of times a month for two years, and lives on Teesside. Sounds like you? You could be perfect for the role! We recruit volunteers from all different types of backgrounds, so don't be afraid if you have never worked with children or know a lot about the care system before as all training is provided. We just need you to be enthusiastic, supportive and most importantly FUN!
If you would like more information on becoming a befriender, contact us at:
or Changing Futures North East
