Advocates
Advocates work alongside individual children to ensure their voices are heard and their wishes and feelings are taken into account when decisions are being made which affect them. Each advocacy case is usually short term and there is no expectation of a long term commitment to a particular child. We have a bank of advocates and each one can agree to take on a specific case or not.
Independent visitors
Independent Visitors make a long term commitment to one child in care. They visit the child once or twice each month and sometimes more often, and build a trusting, supportive relationship and friendship that can sometimes last many years. This can bring life changing experiences and opportunities to a vulnerable child or young person.
Our Advocates and Independent Visitors are volunteers and they can:
- act as both an advocate and an independent visitor if they wish
- take part in an exciting and stimulating training programme
- provide a highly valued service which can sometimes be life changing for a vulnerable young person and even for the volunteer themselves
- improve the well-being of vulnerable children, our communities and even themselves
- help ensure the child’s voice is heard and the child is empowered in such a way that their rights are recognised and acted upon.
If you would like to consider becoming a volunteer, please complete an application.
Route1 volunteer training
This is an exciting opportunity, previous experience is not necessary as full training is provided. Route 1 recruits and trains volunteer independent visitors and advocates. Volunteers may choose to do both roles. Route 1 provides a 5 day basic training course which all volunteers are required to complete. All Volunteers are required to attend the full 5 day course.
Basic Training Course content
- Personal Skills and Qualities
- Management and Support
- Health & Safety and Equal Opportunities
- How Children Learn
- Communication
- Risks
- Boundaries
- Confidentiality
- Human Needs
- Brain Development
- Social Exclusion
- Attachment
- Experiences and Consequences
- Values
- Personal Space
- First Aid
- Safeguarding/Child Protection
- Children Looked After/Independent Visitors
- Care Leavers
- IV National Standards
- Your First Meeting
There are various courses throughout the year and are free of charge. All course material is provided. If a volunteer wishes to become an Advocate, they will be required to attend an additional 2 full training days.
Route1 volunteer training schedule
Date | Time | Venue |
---|---|---|
Date Evening Option – April/May/June 2024 dates | Time | Venue |
DateWednesday 17 April | Time6pm to 9.30pm | VenueVenue in Taunton |
DateWednesday 24 April | Time6pm to 9.30pm | VenueVenue in Taunton |
DateWednesday 1 May | Time6pm to 9.30pm | VenueVenue in Taunton |
DateWednesday 8 May | Time6pm to 9.30pm | VenueVenue in Taunton |
DateWednesday 15 May | Time6pm to 9.30pm | VenueVenue in Taunton |
DateWednesday 22 May | Time6pm to 9.30pm | VenueVenue in Taunton |
DateWednesday 29 May (this is half term week) | Time6pm to 9.30pm | VenueVenue in Taunton |
DateWednesday 5 June | Time6pm to 9.30pm | VenueVenue in Taunton |
DateWednesday 12 June | Time6pm to 9.30pm | VenueVenue in Taunton |
Date July 2024 dates | Time | Venue |
DateWednesday 3 July | Time9am to 4.30pm | VenueVenue between Glastonbury and Bridgwater |
DateThursday 4 July | Time9am to 4.30pm | VenueVenue between Glastonbury and Bridgwater |
DateWednesday 10 July | Time9am to 4.30pm | VenueVenue between Glastonbury and Bridgwater |
DateThursday 11 July | Time9am to 4.30pm | VenueVenue between Glastonbury and Bridgwater |
DateWednesday 17 July | Time9am to 4.30pm | VenueVenue between Glastonbury and Bridgwater |
Date Week Option – August 2024 dates | Time | Venue |
DateMonday 19 August | Time9am to 4.30pm | VenueVenue in central Taunton |
DateTuesday 20 August | Time9am to 4.30pm | VenueVenue in central Taunton |
DateWednesday 21 August | Time9am to 4.30pm | VenueVenue in central Taunton |
DateThursday 22 August | Time9am to 4.30pm | VenueVenue in central Taunton |
DateFriday 23 August | Time9am to 4.30pm | VenueVenue in central Taunton |
Date September/October 2024 dates | Time | Venue |
DateWednesday 11 September | Time9am to 4.30pm | VenueVenue between Glastonbury and Bridgwater |
DateWednesday 18 September | Time9am to 4.30pm | VenueVenue between Glastonbury and Bridgwater |
DateWednesday 25 September | Time9am to 4.30pm | VenueVenue between Glastonbury and Bridgwater |
DateWednesday 2 October | Time9am to 4.30pm | VenueVenue between Glastonbury and Bridgwater |
DateWednesday 9 October | Time9am to 4.30pm | VenueVenue between Glastonbury and Bridgwater |
Date Saturdays – November/December – 2024 dates | Time | Venue |
DateSaturday 9 November | Time9am to 4.30pm | VenueVenue between Glastonbury and Bridgwater |
DateSaturday 16 November | Time9am to 4.30pm | VenueVenue between Glastonbury and Bridgwater |
DateSaturday 23 November | Time9am to 4.30pm | VenueVenue between Glastonbury and Bridgwater |
DateSaturday 30 November | Time9am to 4.30pm | VenueVenue between Glastonbury and Bridgwater |
DateSaturday 7 December | Time9am to 4.30pm | VenueVenue between Glastonbury and Bridgwater |