asphaleia currently delivers the Independent Visitor and Advocacy services for East Sussex County Council.
what is an Independent Visitor?
Independent Visitors (IV's) are trained volunteers that visit children and young people who are looked after by East Sussex County Council on a monthly basis. They offer the support and friendship of a trusted adult, a monthly visit involving fun activities away from their placement and are someone the child can talk to about their worries. The IV is someone ‘totally independent’ in their life, distinct from the professionals who support them. It makes a real difference to a young person to know they have someone who is on their side, who has chosen to be there for them.
what do we mean by positive outcomes?
Whilst our IV's are not like mentors - they do not have to help their young person achieve certain goals - we do give them some general areas in which they record the impact they have had on their young person just by being themselves and by being a friend.
These areas are based on the Every Child Matters framework and include:
Develop self-confidence
Deal with life changes/challenges
Emotional wellbeing
Make healthy choices
Participate in new activities
Develop positive relationships
Help to identify dangers and risks
Access public transport
Budgeting skills
Our IV's complete a recording sheet after each visit and include on there the ways in which they have supported the young person in the above areas. Again, this is simply through being a friend to the young person and just being mindful of the opportunities that are there to support the young person.
For example, instead of driving to an activity, IV's can be intentional about using public transport and allowing the young person to take the lead on finding the right bus stop to get on and off, and purchasing tickets. This can be a fun context in which to learn important independent living skills.
building confidence and emotional wellbeing
Simply being there for a young person has a huge impact. Especially when it's an adult who has chosen to give their time to the betterment of their befriendee.
Here are some examples of how our IV's have supported young people with building confidence:
"He did really well flying the kite and persevered when it wasn't going right."
"[The young person] led the way on the walk."
"I fully encouraged his creativity. We discussed the positivity of being who you want to be and having confidence and conviction in yourself."
"It was good to have a constructive conversation regarding the passing of her father."
"Spoke about navigating personal relationships and foster care."
"Spoke about finding a balance between revision and downtime."
could you be an IV?
It only takes a few hours of your time a month and visits usually take place at the weekend.
We are currently looking for more volunteers to become IV's. You don't necessarily need to live in East Sussex as some of the young people looked after by East Sussex are placed elsewhere in the country.
Here are some profiles of volunteers we are looking for currently, including locations:
Location: Winchelsea, Rye
Looking to be rematched with another volunteer who enjoys games, trips to arcades and who is kind and friendly.
Location: Littlehampton
Looking for a young woman who enjoys musical activities, singing, dancing, playing and shopping.
Location South Nutfield:
Teenage girl. Looking for a young female volunteer.
Location: Hove
9 year old boy looking for a middle aged female volunteer to go to animal sanctuary’s, café’s and skateparks.
Location: Shedfield
7 year old boy looking for a male volunteer with an interest in football and history.
Location: Shedfield
13 year old boy looking for a volunteer to go ghost hunting and out for food with.
Location: Nutfield
A 13 year old girl looking for a young female volunteer with an interest in eating out and the paranormal.
Location: Small Dole
11 year old girl looking for a younger female with an interest in animals.
Location: Crawley
12 year old boy looking for a younger volunteer with an interest in animals and who would enjoy going to cafés.
You don't need to be an enthusiast about the activities mentioned. It's more about whether you are willing to participate or support the interests of the young person, in other words, you don't need to be Ronaldo to be matched with a child who likes football, but you definitely need to be willing to kick a ball about!
If you'd like to ask any questions or apply, please visit our volunteering page.