How can we help?

If you are a care-leaver

The following options may be for you. If any are of interest, speak to your social worker, personal advisor, or contact us.

Supported lodgings:

If you are getting ready to leave care, but don’t feel you want to live on your own just yet, supported lodgings may be for you. Supported lodgings provide:

• a stepping stone to independence
• a safe place to live
• a chance to try out your cooking, cleaning, budgeting and shopping skills
• a home environment provided by somebody who has a genuine interest in your future.

Volunteer befriending:

Whether you are still living in care, or have left and are living independently, you may want extra support. Sometimes it feels good having someone who chooses to spend time with you. A befriender can meet with you for a few hours per week for:

• advice
• practical support
• social activities
• the chance to talk to someone about what is going on in your life.

‘GYFT’ (Give Your Free Time):

Do you need something practical doing? We have several ‘GYFT’ volunteers who might be able to help in a very practical way. For example:

• you may have just moved into a flat, and need some help with decorating, carpeting or putting together furniture
• you may want to brush up on your cooking or shopping skills
• you may need some help filling in forms, or attending appointments
• you may be studying and want some help in understanding how to use a computer.

If you need something practical doing, then we’ll try to find someone to help.

Young People’s Group:

If you are using one of our other services, then you can also come along to our Young People’s Group.

The group:

• meets once a fortnight
• gives you a chance to meet others in a similar position to you
• allows you to make new friends and have a good time
• go on an annual residential.
  

If you are homeless and need somewhere to stay

You may be able to use the Nightstop service.

• Nightstop is a safe place to stay for you to get your head together, and start to work out your longer-term housing
• you need to be referred by another agency (we don’t accept self-referrals), such as Social Services, Housing Advice, St. George’s Crypt, or St. Anne’s. You also need to be aged 16-21
• we will try to find you a place with one of our approved Nightstop hosts, who will offer you a safe place to stay for the night
• you will get a meal, your own room, a chance to have a bath or shower, use of washing facilities, and breakfast the next morning.
  

If you would like to volunteer

We need volunteers to be able to provide services for young people. Those who volunteer with us come from all sorts of backgrounds, and with all kinds of experience. All we ask for is:

• a commitment to young people
• an understanding of the issues they face
• a willingness to work within Barnardo’s values and guidance.

As part of being a volunteer we will need to take you through an assessment and checking process. We also provide training, 24-hour support and expenses and fees.

We are looking for the following volunteers:

• supported lodgings providers - providing short to long term accommodation in your own home for young people leaving care
• befrienders - giving a few hours a week to support a young person leaving care
• Nightstop hosts - providing emergency overnight accommodation in your own home for homeless young people
• Nightstop contact volunteers - take telephone referrals at home and arrange Nightstop accommodation over the phone
• Adoption supported lodgings providers - providing short breaks or longer term accommodation in your own home for adopted young people (this is to support the adoptive placement)
• GYFT volunteers - providing practical support to young people leaving care on an ad-hoc basis.

If you are interested click here for more information, or contact us.