How a 15 year friendship started through Wiltshire Council's Independent Visitor Scheme
Male volunteers are needed to support young people in care in Wiltshire
Last updated 4th Jan 2022
Wiltshire Council need more male volunteers for young people, coming into care in the county, to talk to and trust in.
Sayed benefitted from the scheme when he came to the UK as an unaccompanied asylum seeker at 13-years-old, having fled from danger in his home country of Afghanistan.
He had to leave behind his family and travel on his own across Europe before reaching a place of safety in England.
As a young teenager, he was placed in a foster family in Wiltshire. He quickly had to learn a new language and adapt to a completely different culture and education system.
That's when Wiltshire Council linked Sayed up with his Independent Visitor Paul.
Their introduction took place with the help of an interpreter, and from then on, they got to know each other through a shared love of sport. Their very first visit together was playing a game of pitch and putt at a local sports centre. Sayed had never held a golf club before but proved to be an absolute natural at the game. Paul was delighted that this experience sparked such an interest in Sayed and was really proud when he went on to be picked to play golf as a junior for his county.
Sayed and Paul met up regularly through the IV scheme every month for seven years until Sayed was 21. Over the course of that time they talked together about all sorts of things and shared many new experiences. On one occasion they both even attended an official event at No 10 Downing street, held in celebration of mentoring and befriending relationships.
Since leaving the IV scheme at the age of 21, Sayed has always kept in touch with Paul and they still meet up together as friends. Sometimes, when they both have time, they will still go and hit a few golf balls together (although Sayed now plays off a hard to beat 2 handicap!)
At 28 years old, Sayed is a determined, hard-working young man with his own young family. He has always really valued the help that Paul gave him, growing up in care, in a new and unfamiliar country, away from the support of his own family.
How does the scheme work and how to get involved
It encourages volunteers to spend time with a young person in care and be a trusted adult from outside the care system who can offer consistent, long-term support.
Young people are matched with independent visitors on the basis of their interests and needs.
Once every three to four weeks to volunteers will visit and spend time with the young person they are matched with.
This support can continue for as long as a young person receives care or care leaver support from Wiltshire Council.
Wiltshire IV Scheme is currently looking to recruit more male volunteers in particular, to support children who live in care. If you are interested in this role, please contact: ivscheme@wiltshire.gov.uk