My name is Jenny. I am an Independent Visitor in Staffordshire and I have been volunteering in this role for about 12 months. I feel very lucky to be able to volunteer with young people through Change Grow Live and I am really enjoying all of it. When I first volunteered, I just knew I wanted to offer my support in an area that I feel very strongly about but I genuinely didn’t expect to get so much of it. The training provided by Change Grow Live is comprehensive and they offer ongoing support and encouragement. Though volunteering at a distance I feel part of a wider team and appreciate the community of Independent Visitors.
I came to this role wanting to offer my time and support to a young person who had requested an Independent Visitor in their life. I got matched with someone who is absolutely amazing, and I often think I am the one who benefits the most from our time together. We chat about all sorts of things covering topics ranging from hoodies to health, cars to career choices and rappers to relationships! I’m constantly learning… whilst having a great time filled with laughter!
I work full time but it's easy to find a few hours every month to spend with my young person. Sometimes we just go and grab a drink and cake, or we go to the cinema or visit a local games cafe. We’re currently planning to go on a city trip for the day and it's great to be led by my young person as to what they want to do. I did feel anxious when we first met but we built a rapport quickly and the time we spend together flies by!