Call for more volunteers to help children and young people thrive in Wiltshire

Wiltshire Council is asking residents to volunteer and be a force for good in the lives of children and young people.

The council needs more volunteers in different roles, including school governors or mentors for children and young people who need extra support in difficult times.

During Volunteer Week, starting Monday, June 3, the council will share direct experiences of people who have made the decision to spend their free time volunteering, not only the impact it had on the child, but also the way in which found beneficial.

Vanessa is a new volunteer and is a suitable adult and Referral Board member within the Youth Justice Service. Vanessa protects the interests of young people if they have been detained in custody. She is also a member of the commission that helps young people to prevent recidivism. The service recently received a good rating from inspectors.

She explained that when she retired, she wanted to spend her time doing something meaningful, such as volunteering with children. “I will definitely recommend volunteering. As a completely new undertaking for me, I find it both challenging and rewarding in equal measure, and it is truly humbling when a young person you help smiles back and thanks you.”

People who are interested in this role can volunteer as adults alongside a child or young person, providing 1:1 support. Ongoing training and help is provided. Volunteers will help children and families in need by befriending, mentoring, supporting and advocating for children in police custody or participating in a referral panel. For more information people can email [email protected] or call 01225 716623.

Wiltshire Council is also calling for more school governors to come forward. Governors can be parents or community members who are interested in being part of the leadership of a school or educational setting.

Sophie, who works at Wiltshire Music Connect, part of Wiltshire Council, explained the benefits: “My job is desk based and I don’t get to see many people. Being a governor gives me the opportunity to go to a school and meet children and it really brings to life what I do in my day job, so I connect with real people in a school setting.

“I also learned a lot from being a governor. There was a lot of useful knowledge and experience that I gained, things about Ofsted and the education system and I found that all very useful as a parent, but I also learned a lot of soft skills, how to negotiate and debate. Also coming up with practical solutions to problems.”

People who would like to find out more about volunteering as a governor can visit this page Wiltshire on Board – Inspiring Governance or contact the team to find out more [email protected]

Cllr Laura Mayes, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services said: “Volunteers Week is a chance to celebrate and recognize the fantastic contribution our volunteers make. Thanks to school governors, our schools have benefited from a wide range of skills, experiences and perspectives, with governors providing positive feedback and acting as an essential friend to encourage high standards of education for all our children.

We also see the impact this support has in our Youth Justice Service and hear the difference it can make to a child or young person and their family going through a difficult time in their life.

“We always need more volunteers to take on these incredibly rewarding roles. We will provide you with training and support and ensure you are ready to take on this voluntary role.”

Wiltshire Council has a wide range of volunteering roles available, including in libraries, heritage and arts and a range of other areas – Volunteering – Wiltshire Council

Volunteer Week 2024 runs from 3 – 9 June and celebrates 40 years of inspiring people to make a difference.