Our Roles

Independent Visitor (Supporting young people in care from the age 5-25 years old on the Isle of Wight)

Our  Independent Visitors  provide a vital support to young people who are in care. They develop a long-term friendship with a young person and share fun and motivational experiences together. As an Independent Visitor you will help young people develop new interests, skills and hobbies or go on outings such as to the cinema, bowling or just a walk in the park. Each volunteer is carefully matched with a child or young person in their local area who shares similar interests.

Independent Visitors are outside the care system and provide young people with continuity, which is something not always possible with changing carers and social workers. We are therefore looking for people from all ages, backgrounds and walks of life to commit a minimum of 18 months (preferably longer) to working with a young person in this role.

To find out more and to apply, Click here:  Apply Here

kid in the park

Gardener (at our family hubs/centres across the Isle of Wight)

Our  Barnardo’s Gardeners  support us to carry out general gardening duties and tidying of outdoor areas in our regulated settings, such as Children’s Centres and Nurseries. There may also be the opportunity to support in the delivery of outdoor learning activities with children and their parents/carers, such as Forest School and Worms and Wellies.

We are looking for enthusiastic people to join our team, with a love of the outdoors and an interest in supporting children and families to engage with outdoor play and growing activities.

The Isle of Wight has 8 Family Hubs/Centres across the Island which require green-fingered gardeners, who can help us to maintain our outdoor spaces, and help create warm and welcoming safe spaces for our visitors?

To Find out more and to apply, click here:  Apply Now

kid cooking

Children's Activity Support - Group Helper (Isle of Wight Young Carers 5 to 18 years old)

Through our Young Carers Project, we make sure that the right support is in place for young carers, including: • Activities and outings to give a break from caring responsibilities • One-to-one practical and emotional support • Working with schools about how to support Young Carers and their families • Signposting to other support • Support for a Young Carer’s transition to be a Young Adult Carer

As part of the Project, we ask children and young people about what activities they would like to try, and we plan and run a range of different activities that offer regular, positive, fun experiences that give Young Carers the opportunities to relax and meet other children and young people in a similar situation, make friends and give them a meaningful break from their caring responsibilities.

We are looking for enthusiastic and caring volunteers to help us run these activities, which can be anything from arts and crafts, cooking, walks, bowling and sometimes more energetic sports and even horse riding! To do this role you need to be confident to join in activities and support children and young people to get involved and take part. You will help Barnardo’s staff to set up and run activities and make sure that Young Carers feel safe and welcomed at all times. You can chose which activities you would like to support. Activities generally run at weekends and during the school holidays at different venues across the Island.

To find out more and to apply, please click here:  Apply Now

Bernardos woman in glasses

Children’s Activity Support - Group Helper

This volunteer role is ideal if you like to get down on the floor to play with children and babies and have three or more hours to spare during the week.

You will be helping other volunteers to set up and run play sessions for families with children aged 0-5 within Barnardo’s Family Centres.

No experience is necessary as training will be provided. An approachable personality and a willingness to have fun is essential.

woman teaching parents

Community Champion

If you are good at talking to families and children and have some experience or understanding about the challenges that parents face, then you could be a  Community Champion.

You will be trained to represent Barnardo’s in your community and to tell the parents and carers you meet all about Barnardo’s services in their area.

mum baby

Breast Feeding Supporters

If you have experience of breastfeeding your own children  and would be willing to undertake training and commit to one session a week at our Breastfeeding or Baby stay and plays you could join the Breastfeeding peer supporters who are all trained by The Breastfeeding Network. 

Our first level course is called Breastfeeding Helper training. This course is externally accredited by the Open College Network (OCN) with 2 accredited units both at level 2 called Peer Support for Breastfeeding Mothers and Skills to Support Breastfeeding Mothers (6 credits in total). The course is delivered online using a mix of group video call sessions and the secure BfN training website. Each session is prepared and delivered by an experienced BfN Tutor. The training usually takes around 4 months to complete

The BfN next training course is due to start in September 2024 and if you'd like to register interest for this please complete the following form https://forms.office.com/e/EthCfp3w8w?origin=lprLink. 

All of the above roles are Monday to Friday, during school hours and term-time only.

To find out more or apply for roles in your area please go to:
volunteer.barnardos.org.uk/opportunities

Contact

Newport Family Hub
Furrlongs
Newport
PO30 2AX

01983 529208

Ryde Family Hub
George Street
Ryde
PO33 2JF

01983 617617

Sandown Family Hub
The Fairway
Sandown
PO36 9EQ

01983 408718

iowfamilycentres@barnardos.org.uk

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