Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

Wiltshire Council is extending its friendship scheme.

Wiltshire Council is extending a scheme that matches young people in care with independent volunteers who can provide long term advice, friendship and support.

The independent visitor scheme is looking to increase its volunteer pool from around 20 to approximately 30 visitors. Each volunteer is "matched" with an individual young person whom they regularly meet throughout the time they are in foster or residential care.

Young people particularly value the role of the visitor because they are someone from outside the care system who they can talk to and who will take a special interest in their life.

Would-be volunteers need to be aged 21 or over and willing to make a long-term commitment to meeting up with a young person once or twice a month for a couple of hours to go for a drink, chat or take part in some leisure or sporting activity. In the past there have been less male volunteers available and the council is particularly keen to hear from any men who are interested in this opportunity.

All volunteers are given training, receive on-going support and can claim back relevant expenses.

Scheme manager Sheila Lupton said: “We want to hear from people who are fun and energetic but who also have a mature and reliable side to their personality."

Barbara Thomas, from Mere, has been visiting a teenage girl on the Wiltshire scheme for the past six years. She says: “It has been very rewarding seeing a troubled teenager mature into a young woman, who is now giving something back to the community."

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer should contact the scheme manager Sheila Lupton at Westbury Youth Centre on 01373 859485 for more information about the scheme. Wiltshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects its volunteers to share this commitment; all volunteers are appointed subject to Criminal Records Bureau clearance.