Volunteering for the council also offers the opportunity to learn and develop new skills, meet new people and it is a pathway towards seeking employment or further education
Thank you for your interest in joining the LBBD Volunteering Team, helping residents in our community that need support and guidance. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, we have worked with local voluntary organisations to get support out to people that need it.
The LBBD volunteering team have recently reopened up a variety of volunteering opportunities with more to come as we slowly recover from the pandemic, so if you would like to join our team, supporting our services and residents, please sign up:
We also work closely with BD_Collective who brings the social sector of Barking and Dagenham together, helping organisations to join forces to address local challenges, develop initiatives, share good practice, and showcase success. They have been at the forefront of the BDCAN COVID-19 response and they have been working with the council to make reach out to the wider social sector.
To get started in supporting our local voluntary organisations please register your details on our simple sign-up form:
We're recruiting volunteers to support children in care aged 10 to 18, providing them with an Independent Visitor. We ask for commitment and for you to engage with your allocated young person. As an Independent visitor, you will support the young person on a 1-2-1 basis long term.
You will be helping children in care to build confidence, foster new interests and aspirations while enjoying fun activities on a one-on-one basis. Volunteers are not social workers but trusted friends.
It's a chance to experience unique activities, develop youth work skills and make a positive impact on a child's life. Additional benefits include further training, a paid DBS check, and support from the Independent Visiting coordinator.
Make a real difference! Feedback from one of our young people
‘I love spending time with my independent visitor. We have fun and I can talk to her about anything. I really look forward to seeing her and doing activities, sometimes it may be just lunch but only me and her.’
You will be providing a child in care with the opportunity to engage in positive activities to boost confidence and self-esteem, accompanying them to leisure activities, trying new things together, sharing experiences and spending quality time together to build a trusting relationship which can continue until they are 18.
We ask for visits to be at a minimum of every six weeks. We normally advise that these occur during the school holidays however will work to accommodate you and your personal circumstances.
To sign up or find out more, please email tracey.clarke@lbbd.gov.uk.
Barking and Dagenham is a vibrant and diverse borough, and this is something we are proud of. We value the diversity of people who live, work, and visit Barking and Dagenham and it is our vision is to create a place where people understand, respect, and celebrate each other’s differences.