Wiltshire Council volunteers are sharing their stories of how they made a positive difference in people’s lives in the hope of encouraging more people to come forward.

Volunteers Week, which runs from 2-9 June, celebrates the diversity and unity of volunteer work. Wiltshire has hundreds of volunteers of all types, and more are being encouraged to come forward to play an active role in their communities.

Sara is an Independent Visitor (IV) volunteer for Wiltshire Council, working with children in care and dropping in to support them for a few days a week. IVs are adult volunteers who provide independent, one-to-one befriending support to children in care. Their role is to “visit, advise and befriend” the young person with whom they are matched.

She explains how after retiring from a long career in nursing, she wanted to do some voluntary work but only wanted to commit to one day a month. She heard about the IV scheme through a friend and after training she was ready to be that friend to a young person with support on hand if they needed it.

She has been supporting a young girl in care since the age of seven, and a few years later she explains how they now have “the most special relationship” enjoying activities including picnics, dog walks, pottery days and cinema parks.

She explained: “I like to think that my young person is as fond of me as I am of her. We have lovely conversations and I really hope that some of what I say resonates with her. If not now, then in time. I’m so pleased that I’m doing this role and I’m definitely in it for the long term.”

Children and young people have also shared the benefits of having an independent visitor. One young person explained: ““She is just awesome; I just like her so much. I can’t really pinpoint anything. I see her as an Aunt to be honest. We are definitely going to go on and have regular coffee breaks to talk about gossip.”

The team currently has 103 IVs, with 96 currently matched with a child in care. There is a rolling recruitment programme all year round and the team is always looking for new volunteers across IVs and the other roles, which include Mentoring, Appropriate Adults and Referral Order Panel Members.

Another example of volunteer work is the 31 volunteers who support the Refugee and Resettlement Team, working with Afghan families and other refugee families across the county. While families are supported by the team professionally, the volunteers provide additional help for everyday activities including navigating public transport and local amenities. Some of the volunteers have shared their experiences. ,

Volunteer Henrietta explains: “It is a delight and enormously satisfying helping the families feel welcomed and settled in the community. It is a joyful experience and I am sure I learn as much from them as they do from me.”

Sheila has worked with several families over the years and they have provided her with a greater insight into the lives and traditions of other nationalities. She explains: “It’s great to see the people become more confident in both language and social life, and it’s taught me how to use my listening skills (and gestures) when conversational English is limited. I’m sure that I’ve gained more from supporting these families than they have from me.”

John agrees: “In helping and assisting my families over the last three years, it is me if anyone who has gained most. My peace, tranquillity and growth have steadily improved; my families retain a special place in my heart. What a privilege to serve them.”

Anyone over the age of 18 can volunteer in this role and full training, plus ongoing help and support, is provided.

Cllr Mel Jacob Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “Volunteers Week is an excellent opportunity to pay tribute to all the work of our volunteers and the impact they have carrying out these important roles. We have shared two different insights into volunteering at Wiltshire Council and the enormous difference it can make to people and the benefits it brings to those involved. It adds something special for both those receiving the support and the people giving it, and it’s very much a two-way street. We always want more volunteers to come forward and people can find out more about a range of volunteer work by visiting our website for more information.”

People can email refugees@wiltshire.gov.uk for more details on the refugee volunteering scheme.

People can find out more about the independent visitor scheme here – Independent visitor scheme – Wiltshire Council

For more general volunteer vacancies go to Volunteering – Wiltshire Council