Volunteer Befriender for children & young people with additional needs

Coram Voice is a leading children’s rights organisation, championing the rights of children in care, care leavers and others who depend upon the help of the state. We get young voices heard in decisions that matter to them and work to improve their lives. We are part of the Coram group of charities, working to make the biggest possible difference to the greatest number of children and young people.

Children who grow up in the care system can face a chaotic and challenging time. Their Social Workers may change, foster care placements can break down and they can be moved from school to school. This would be difficult for any child to handle, but for children who have already been seriously failed and harmed by adults, it creates a downward spiral which progressively erodes their trust in adults, their confidence in the world around them - and their future life chances. Studies have shown that having just one consistent, trustworthy, supportive adult in their life can change that trajectory completely. Someone the child can look up to, rely on, depend on and turn to for advice, for comfort, and even to share a joke or celebrate an achievement. Someone who knows them well, and remains in their life unflinchingly through good times and bad. That single, stable presence in their life is an Independent Visitor.

Could it be you? Do you like having fun? Would you be able to commit long-term: like a godparent? If so, please consider becoming an Independent Visitor. You might transform someone's life chances - one outing at a time!

We currently have 4 children (aged 10 to 14), living in Much Hadham who are waiting for us to find them Independent Visitors. These children have a range of complex and additional needs, but have so much to offer and we'd love to be able to help them.

All volunteers receive regular training and development / support, plus reimbursement of reasonable expenses and travel costs.