Training Starts for Caring Volunteers

Reporter: Ask Bury
Date online: 26 February 2008

If you have time on your hands and room in your heart then Bury Independent Visitor and Advocacy Services (B.I.V.A.S.) wants to hear from you.

BIVAS is looking for men and women who can spend two or three hours every fortnight to act as a befriender.
 
No formal qualifications are needed, although volunteers will need to attend a training programme. The next session starts on 8th March at the Connexions building in Broad Street, Bury.
 
Once recruited and trained as Independent Visitors, they are matched with a young person and they can arrange their visits at a mutually convenient time.
 
The project is run by the international children's charity, Spurgeons, in partnership with Bury Council.
 
Jane Hayes, the Project Manager at B.I.V.A.S. said "Young People who have little or not contact with their natural family can benefit from contact with an Independent Adult.  The role of the Volunteer is to take an interest in the Young Person's welfare and offer them support."
 
Volunteers will be reimbursed expenses.
 
Anyone who is interested should call Jane or Dave on 0161 253 6339/6746.