05/06/2026
We’re almost at the end of ! Today we’re hearing from one of our volunteer Independent Visitors, Louise, who’s been matched with a 13 year old living in foster care for a couple of years:
“I’ve been volunteering as an Independent Visitor with Changing Futures North East since 2024, and I’ve found it to be such a rewarding experience. After stepping away from a career in education a few years ago, I really missed those meaningful one-to-one interactions with young people. My match with a 13-year-old boy has given me the opportunity to be a consistent and reliable adult for a young person again.
The training I received was fascinating and gave me the confidence and knowledge I needed to get started. What’s made an even bigger difference is the ongoing support from the volunteer team at Changing Futures. There’s always someone there if I have questions or need guidance.
One of my favourite parts of volunteering has been the group trips organised by the team, getting to know other Independent Visitors and spending time with our young people by having fun and exploring somewhere new. My young person loves these days out too – we still talk about our day at Flamingo Land last year! Maybe next time he’ll manage to get me on a rollercoaster…
For me, this experience has been about building trust, offering consistency, and making a positive impact, no matter how small it might seem. I’ve gained just as much as I’ve given.
If you’ve ever thought about volunteering, I’d really encourage you to take that first step. It might feel like a big decision, but it’s absolutely worth it. You never know the difference you could make to someone’s life – and to your own!”
If you’d like to hear more about volunteering, or think you could be a consistent adult in a young person’s life like Louise, we’d love to hear from you! 🫶🏻
