Independent Visitor - Volunteer

Independent Visitor (Volunteer) – Southwark Council

Be a hero to a young person in care! Are you looking for a meaningful, long‑term volunteering role where you can make a positive difference in a young person’s life?

We’re seeking compassionate, reliable adults to become Independent Visitors – volunteer mentors and trusted friends to children and young people in care. An Independent Visitor (IV) visits a young person once a month, usually on weekends, to enjoy fun, supportive activities together. This is a long‑term role; volunteers are asked to commit to at least two years. We value volunteers based in or near London and Kent.

Young people in care often face instability and frequent change. Having a consistent adult who listens, encourages and simply spends time with them can be life‑changing. “My IV is the one person who’s always there for me. They make me feel like I matter.” – Young Person in Care.

• Friendly and approachable
• Patient, empathetic and consistent
• A good listener
• Committed to visiting once a month for at least two years
• Willing to complete training and safeguarding checks

We particularly welcome applications from male volunteers and individuals from Black, Asian and other under‑represented communities.

• Meet a young person once a month for activities such as going to the cinema, bowling, exploring parks or simply chatting.
• Suggest age‑appropriate outings based on their interests.
• Keep in touch between visits with a weekly call or message if they’d like.
• Occasionally join group events.
• Create meaningful, lasting memories.

Please note that all travel and activity expenses will be covered.

• Full initial training
• Ongoing support and one‑to‑one supervision
• Access to additional training through Southwark’s volunteer resources

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Sav D’Souza via email at Sav.

D'

• Applications reviewed on an ongoing basis.
• Interviews:
  To be confirmed.

The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

If you’re looking for a rewarding, long‑term volunteering opportunity where you can support a young person one‑to‑one and help them thrive, we’d love to receive an application from you today!