Youth Befriending Volunteer — Mentoring & Support for Teens

Volunteer Now has partnered with Be Collective to bring a dedicated online platform for volunteering to Northern Ireland. The platform supports volunteers through the volunteering process and helps connect more people with a wider range of opportunities. There’s lots of great features to Be Collective like messaging, making a profile, and being able to compile all your experiences, training and roles as well as the skills gained within a social CV. You can search and apply for volunteer roles below. If you can’t find anything you like you at the moment – register now, then check back soon – new opportunities are added all the time!

NIACRO

WHAT IS THE INDEPENDENT VISITOR SCHEME?

• Independent Visitors is a volunteer-led befriending and support service for young people with care experience in Belfast and South Eastern Health and Social Care Trusts, who have infrequent or poor-quality contact with a parent or guardian, are experiencing isolation or a significant transition in their lives.
• Each young person is matched with a volunteer for up to one year, with the possibility of extension which will be formally reviewed with your social worker.

Tasks and responsibilities

• To meet and befriend a young person aged up to 21 years, looked after by Health & Social Services Trusts.
• To act as a positive adult influence in the life of the young person, aiding their personal and social development through meeting them regularly and encouraging involvement in agreed shared activities.
• To keep brief records on visits with young people and return to the Project Worker.
• To feedback regularly to Senior Practitioner, giving priority to safeguarding children issues.
• Occasional attendance at group activity days.
• To operate as IV/IR volunteer in line with Niacro’s policies.
• To meet with the young person on a one-to-one basis and visit agreed public locations such as parks, sports centres and appropriate entertainment venues.
• The role will be a maximum commitment of 2-3 hours once a fortnight depending on the needs and wishes of the children/young people on the project.
• Must commit to attending training, group supervision and other scheduled required events as/when required.
• Be able to work with these young people to develop their agency and act as an advocate and positive influence in their lives.
• To attend “Looked After Children” (LAC) review meetings at various locations, if requested by the young person.
• Volunteers will be reimbursed out of pocket expenses incurred during their voluntary work.

Skills and experience gained

• Adaptability
• Advice & Guidance
• Advocacy
• Child Welfare
• Childcare
• Children’s Support
• Communication Skills
• Community Development
• Mentoring
• Problem Solving
• Resilience
• Time Management
• Youth Services

NIACRO

Bangor, UK

Flexible – hours are based on your availability and other factors

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