Northamptonshire Children’s Trust

Belmont Press is proud to support the local community by encouraging staff to engage in volunteer projects. Currently, one of our team members serves as an Independent Visitor (IV) for Northamptonshire Children’s Trust, providing valuable mentorship to children in care. In addition, Belmont Press continues to support the Trust by offering free print services, helping to enhance its outreach and initiatives for young people.

Northamptonshire Children’s Trust is a statutory service that recruits and trains volunteers to become Independent Visitors for children and young people in care, primarily in Northamptonshire. Volunteers are matched based on shared interests, hobbies, and travel willingness.

An Independent Visitor provides a long-term, trusted friendship to a young person in care who has little or no contact with their birth family. Visitors commit to at least two years, meeting fortnightly to monthly for a few hours, usually on weekends due to school/college schedules. Visits may include day trips based on availability.

Children in care often experience instability and fractured relationships. Independent Visitors offer a consistent, positive presence, building friendships through shared activities and interests. This trusted, non-judgmental relationship gives young people someone who truly accepts them.

A young person in care shared:
“I have had a lot of moves over the last few years and lost a lot of people close to me. My IV is the only consistent person I have had in my life who has shared those experiences with me. My IV is very important to me, I trust her and know that as long as she knows where I am, she will make the effort to speak to me.”

• Informal interview and one-day training.
• Enhanced DBS and reference checks (in line with safer recruitment).
• Matching process based on shared interests and personality.
• Ongoing support and supervision from an Independent Visitor Coordinator.

A Belmont Press IV volunteer shared their experience:
"Being a 'volunteer' suggests that you give up your free time just for the benefit of others. This couldn't be further from the truth for me. I have gotten so much out of being partnered with my young person. From larger more obvious things such as the satisfaction and joy that comes with being a young person’s mentor, to the smaller things such as getting to watch a superhero film that my significant other would normally refuse to watch! Not to mention the tasty milkshakes! Being a male role model to a young person in care has been one of the best decisions I have made."

Northamptonshire Children’s Trust runs three recruitment campaigns annually to find the right volunteers. Young people already benefiting from the programme also share their experiences at these events to help attract new IVs.

At its core, it’s about being a good friend, a good listener, and having a genuine desire to make a difference.

Please scan the QR code below to apply or share or share it with others.

"Belmont Press has generously supported our service by printing leaflets for recruitment campaigns, helping us find volunteers both locally and beyond. Recently, they also printed invitations for our first celebration evening, giving our young people and volunteers a special keepsake. Their ongoing support has been invaluable, and the quality of their service has been exceptional."