Could you spare one or two days a month? Trafford is looking for Independent Visitors to support children in care

Five new volunteers have just signed up to become Independent Visitors in Trafford – but there is still room, and need, for more.

L-R Debra (Independent Visitor), Laura (Trafford Council Children's Rights team), Dawn (Independent Visitor), Steven (Independent Visitor), Hannah (Independent Visitor), Chy (Trafford Council Children's Rights team)

At a small welcome event in Sale, Trafford’s Children’s Rights service celebrated the latest recruits to a scheme that pairs adult volunteers with children and young people in care. The role is simple in theory but powerful in practice: be a consistent, trusted adult in a young person’s life.

Independent Visitors commit to spending one or two days a month with a child or teenager in care. That time might mean bowling, grabbing brunch, going to the cinema or simply having a chat. There is no agenda beyond building a genuine, steady friendship.

And you don’t need a particular background to apply.

Volunteers can be any age and from any walk of life. They don’t need professional experience with children. Previous Independent Visitors in Trafford have included teachers, social workers, an accountant, a school nurse, a mechanic and a wellbeing coach. The only restriction is that they cannot be current Trafford Council employees.

Before being matched with a young person, volunteers receive thorough training and ongoing support. Matches are carefully made based on shared interests, personality and experience, helping relationships grow naturally over time.

For Debra McCallion, who has been an Independent Visitor for more than seven years, the experience has been life-changing – for her as well as the young people she supports.

She first began visiting an 11-year-old boy, who is now 18, and later started visiting a young woman and her baby.

“I volunteered because I felt I could perhaps play a mentoring role in a young person's life and be a friendly face who visited with no agenda other than to go out and enjoy ourselves,” she said.

Her visits have included bowling, ice-skating and trampolining, as well as regular brunch catch-ups.

“With my young man, he moved foster placements so many times that I quickly did become the most constant presence in his life, which I valued highly,” she said.

“I hope they feel that I am a solid, trustworthy, reliable and constant presence in their lives. Ready for the fun but ready to help with anything and to be alongside them whenever needed.”

Karina Carter, Trafford’s Executive Member for Babies, Children and Young People, said Independent Visitors play a crucial role for children who may have had unsettled starts in life.

“This is such a key role, giving children and young people who have often had rocky starts an additional trusted adult to turn to for advice, guidance and friendship,” she said.

The council is now encouraging more Trafford residents to consider stepping forward.

If you have a couple of days a month to give – and the ability to show up consistently – you could make a lasting difference to a young person’s life.

For more information about becoming an Independent Visitor, or to refer a child or young person to the service, contact childrens.rights@trafford.gov.uk.