We are proudly celebrating our county by shining a spotlight on the people that make it special. This is Extraordinary Essex and it includes our Independent Visitor Service.
Independent Visitors are volunteers from local communities who support young people and children in care from ages five to 18.
They meet once a month with the young people they support to be consistent and supportive role models in their lives.
This can include fun days out, helping with schoolwork or just being someone to talk to.
Janice, one of our Independent Visitors, looks forward to meeting the 14-year-old girl she supports every month.
Janice said: “It feels brilliant to actually be able to support her. If there’s anything bothering her she might tell me, she might not.
“I’d be lying if I said it didn’t make me feel good. I am making a difference to her and she still wants to see me every month. So, it must be making a difference somewhere along the line.”
Independent Visitor Craig added: “It is a big reward to see young people grow, develop, choose the right choices and go down the right path.
“I’d like to think I’m there as a listening ear if they ever found themselves in a situation they couldn’t cope with.”
Veena is a Social Worker with the Independent Visitor Service. She helps recruit, support and match volunteers with young people in care.
She said: “Young people in care have so many challenges, changes and losses in their lives because of their circumstances.
“I think a volunteer can be the one person that’s a consistent and reliable adult in their life who wants to spend time with them.”
Social Worker Jayne added: “If you’re over 18 you can become a volunteer. We welcome everybody from all different areas of life.
“You haven’t got to have experience of children or young people. You’ve just got to be reliable, honest and willing to listen to a young person and be guided by them.”
Watch the full video about our Independent Visitor Service.
Read more about Independent Visitors and how you can become one on our website.