Could you be a friend to a child in need?

JOHNNY is only 15. He is friendly and chatty and would like someone to become his friend. He lives in a children's home and likes music, football, going to the cinema and bowling, but he has experienced many changes in his life that have left him feeling hurt and confused. Now he's looking for a bit of stability.

This is where the Tees Valley Independent Visitors Scheme comes in. Set up three years ago, the scheme offers friendship to youngsters in care, aged between six and 18, who do not have much contact with their families and would like to have someone to chat to.

An independent visitor normally meets a youngster once or twice a fortnight for about three or four hours. Their aim is to build up a friendship with the young person and listen to their problems, encourage them and take part in activities with them.

Says Rachel Maxwell, a volunteer co-ordinator from the scheme: "Quite often these youngsters have had no stability in their lives and have had a lot of upheaval. They need someone constant in their lives who will be there for them, who will listen to their problems and not judge them. Because the youngsters have suffered so much, this has to be a long-term commitment."

The visitors (IVs) undergo a rigorous selection process which includes police checks before they are matched up with a child.

They also have to take part in a series of training sessions in a bid to ensure the child's absolute safety.

Rachel says: "We are aware that there are adults who may target this role in order to exploit or take advantage of young people. For that reason, our selection process actively seeks to ensure young people are safeguarded."

After the training sessions are complete, a visitor has to undergo a panel interview, the final step in the selection process. If successful, they will receive a letter of acceptance and are then ready to be matched to a young person.

"Many things are taken into consideration, such as age, gender, background and personality, when we match people up," says Rachel.

"Sometimes a young person will specify the type of person they would like to be matched with. They sometimes ask for older people who can act as a surrogate grandparent, or someone who is younger and knows the latest pop bands, etc.

"It is vital they get on with their IV as they are an important part of the child's life. Quite often these children have suffered neglect and depression and find it hard to speak to a social worker because they feel that the social worker is only there because he or she is paid to be. The IVs are volunteers who are giving up their spare time to be with the child, which in turn makes them feel special.

"The child can enjoy a normal chat with them and not worry about anyone else finding out. Most importantly, they can switch off from their problems for a couple of hours and just do things other kids do."

The IVs receive ongoing support, training and supervision from the project manager, with telephone contact, individual support and group support meetings.

Visits take place at the home of the young person and often include trips out. Rachel says: "Sometimes a youngster may need to be encouraged to take up and develop new interests. An IV will need to be creative and sensitive in the way this is approached, but it is very rewarding.

"The visits take place mainly in the evenings or at weekends and all the young person knows is the name of their IV. They are not given a phone number or an address so the IV cannot be contacted outside the visiting hours. Sometimes if a friendship is going well we will reassess it and after a while, if it is agreed on both sides, a child may be allowed to visit the IV at their home."

As IVs are volunteers, they do not receive a wage, but they are reimbursed for out-of-pocket and travelling expenses.

The scheme currently has around 25 volunteers who vary in age from their twenties to sixties. However, a recruitment drive for new volunteers is currently being held and the project, which is funded by the five Tees Valley local authorities, would like to hear from anybody who can spare a couple of hours to help. They are especially keen to hear from anyone in the Darlington area, people in their late fifties and sixties and males.

"It is a very rewarding way to spend a couple of hours. To know you are helping someone by just spending time with them," says Rachel. "It makes a difference to these youngsters and gives them something to look forward to.

"Knowing that they can switch off from everything else, even for a little while, means so much to them."

* Anyone who would like more information is asked to contact Rachel on (01642) 438444.