Route1 Advocacy and Independent Visitors is a service that supports children and young people who are in care or have a social worker. They do this by matching volunteers with young people as either short term Advocates, or longer term Independent Visitors.
- Independent Visitors: These volunteers make a long term commitment to one child in care. They visit the child once or twice each month to build a trusting, supportive relationship and friendship that can sometimes last many years. This can bring life-changing experiences and opportunities to a the child or young person – and their Independent Visitor!.
- Advocates: Volunteers work alongside individual children to ensure their voices are heard, and their wishes and feelings are taken into account when decisions are being made which affect them. Each child’s support is usually short term and there is no expectation of a long term commitment to any particular child.
“Not only do these roles do amazing things for young people in Somerset, they represent great opportunities for local people to learn more about the services they support. Volunteering can be a great way into work in related areas.
“I would strongly encourage local residents to come and help children and families, do some real long term good, use and expand their existing skills and experience and make a huge difference to young people in Somerset,” said Cllr Tessa Munt, Lead Member for Children, Families & Education.
Your volunteering can be arranged to suit your availability. Your life experience will be highly valued and you will be trained and supported in developing key skills.
If you’re interested and want to find out more about volunteering with Somerset Council, please visit volunteering.somerset.gov.uk.
For more information about Route 1 Advocacy and Independent Visitors, you can contact us by emailing: route1advocacy@somerset.gov.uk, calling 01749 822801 and our website is
www.somerset.gov.uk/education-andfamilies/route1-advocacy.
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