Hampshire residents encouraged to support vulnerable children

During Voluneers' Week, on June 1 to June 7, Hampshire County Council (HCC) has invited people to join its Innovation Volunteers service, which supports children, and young people across the county.

Peter, who has been volunteering as a mentor for more than four years, said: “For me, all the young people that I’ve been working with have had such great potential and it’s incredibly rewarding to work with them and try and develop their confidences, talents and strengths.

"They’ve got great characters. It’s just a fantastic thing to get involved in.”

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Innovation Volunteers must be aged 18 and over and will receive full training, ongoing support and supervision. No previous experience is needed.

Cllr Edward Heron, HCC's cabinet lead member for children’s services, said: “Our volunteering roles provide a unique opportunity to support vitally important work in Children’s Services and to make a valuable difference to the lives of vulnerable children and their families.

"There are many rewarding opportunities on offer that can each help to shape families’ lives for the better while boosting your own skills and experience.

"I would urge anyone looking to give something back, to get in touch with our team to further explore the roles available.”

Volunteering roles fall into six categories, each designed to suit different interests and to work around volunteers’ other commitments:

• Connecting with children who have recently returned from being missing
• Mentoring a child or young person
• Supporting children who are permanently excluded from school
• Helping a child in care
• Working with families to help improve relationships and prevent breakdown
• Supporting children with disabilities to access activities in the local community

To find out more, go to Innovation Volunteers or contact innovation.volunteers@hants.gov.uk.