Our trained volunteers visit, advise and befriend young people in care and take a long-term interest in their well-being and development. In doing this, they act as Independent Visitors for the young people, a role defined in the Children Act 1989.
Our Befriending programme is designed for young people in care. Young people may experience multiple changes of placement, carer and social worker during their time in care. Often our volunteer Independent Visitors are the only consistent and reliable adults who take a long term interest in young people’s lives.
Befriending aims to enable young people to develop social skills and the ability to work at long term relationships. It also helps build their self-esteem, giving them confidence to try new hobbies, to take on board new ideas and to learn from others.
commit to volunteer for a minimum of two years
meet with your young person once a month
be carefully matched with young people with similar interests
take time to give advice, assist with problems and empower your young person to problem solve
share in a wide range of activities and outings
be able to attend professional meetings at the young person’s request
being someone trusted to talk to
problem solving together or supporting choices the young person makes
helping them feel less lonely or isolated
supporting them to make friends of their age or engage in activities in their community
sharing in hobbies and interests
Volunteers are warmly welcomed into the YLF team who truly value them and their time.
YLF delivers a thorough training course to all applicants to ensure you are fully equipped. YLF will provide:
With a commitment of at least two years to the role and a genuine passion for improving the lives of young people and families, you are already suitable!
We require someone who can be a positive role model for young people, a champion of their needs, interests and aspirations and someone who can listen and offer encouragement.
There are some FAQ’s at the bottom of this page to help you further, or just call us to discuss any concerns you have.
Our befriending programme is available to any eligible looked-after young person placed in Kent or Medway.
The young person’s Independent Visitor will visit once a month, these visits will include outings and activities as agreed with the carers and/or the social worker in advance.
We will tailor the arrangement and cost to the specific need of the young person and local authority.
Professionals can contact us for more information or head to our referral page to make an online referral.
A befriender, or independent visitor, is an adult volunteer who befriends and supports a young person in care who has little or no contact with his/her family.
There are many aspects to this role. In addition to being a truly ‘independent’ contact outside the care system, the befriender gives continuity, something not always possible with changing carers and social workers.
This enables the young person to develop social skills and the ability to work at long term relationships. It also helps build their self-esteem, giving them confidence to try new hobbies, to take on board new ideas and to learn from other people’s more settled lives.
Every young person has different needs but is matched so that they have something in common with the befriender, perhaps a shared hobby. This allows a friendship with common interests to develop and become trusting.
You may want to do activities together such as the cinema, visit the library, bowling, swimming, walking the dog or just having a cuppa and a chat. It would be similar to the sort of relationship you may have with nieces, nephews or grandchildren.
The young people will be as varied as the befrienders and can be in care for a variety of reasons including the loss of one or both parents, abuse, neglect or special needs.
The one thing they all have in common is that they have had an unsettled childhood and need continuity as well as the need to feel valued. This is why we ask for a minimum two year commitment.
The minimum requirement is one visit per month, generally at weekends or in the early evening but always at a convenient time for yourself and the young person.
We ask for a minimum two year commitment.
Nothing, other than your time. All authorised expenses are reimbursed including travel.
We discuss with all volunteers during their accreditation interview any preferences they may have regarding a young person. We also take into consideration your hobbies and interests, geography and the young person’s wishes as well.
Don’t worry; this rarely happens. There is a careful matching process that takes account of your own preferences and wishes as well as those of the young person.
If it really doesn’t work out on either side, we would organise a new arrangement.
If either the independent visitor or the young person moves away from the area, the formal befriending arrangement would end – but you could always stay in touch by letter, phone or email, if you both wanted to. If you were still within reasonable travelling distance, we would explore how the arrangement might continue.
The Independent Visitors handbook provides you with a vast amount of information and is a useful tool and point of reference for all our active volunteers. The content covers the role of an IV, policies and procedure, YLF safeguarding policy, as well as useful information about how to carry out your role productively.
All volunteers receive formal supervision after their first three months, then 6 monthly then, annual. We also offer informal support via phone and email on a regular basis.
Yes. All volunteers are required to complete an enhanced DBS form; we also seek
a reference from your current employer and two others (whom you have known for over 5 years).
You would need to complete and return an application, safeguarding and data protection form (there is also an optional equal opportunities form).
You can apply directly online here, or download these forms from our Resources page and send them by:
Email | volunteering@ylf.org.uk
Post | YLF Volunteering, 71 College Road, Maidstone, Kent ME15 6SX
If you require hard copies, they are available upon request.
Apply to volunteer as an Independent Visitor
Find out how to make a referral enquiry for an Independent Visitor
Download our Volunteer Handbook for more info about volunteering