David and Denise, a married couple who volunteer together as Independent Visitors, are sharing their experiences as part of National Independent Visitor Day 2026. Together, they explain how the voluntary scheme has impacted them for the better.
Application
We found out about the council’s Independent Visitor scheme a couple of years ago from a friend and we quickly looked into it further, becoming interested. When applying, we chose to volunteer as a couple rather than individuals, and were eventually successful in becoming Independent Visitors.
After ongoing discussions with the scheme coordinator and several visits to our home, we met the young person we were matched with, along with his foster carer, and had the opportunity to discuss his interests. We arranged a first visit there and then – Hobbycraft and McDonalds!
The visits begin
On our first official visit, our young person chose some supplies from Hobbycraft, with the intention of keeping a scrapbook of our visits (including photographs, which he took using a polaroid camera). In McDonald’s, he decorated his new scrapbook with stickers and felt tips, and it was lovely to watch.
As the relationship with our young person developed, we took him on visits to Twycross Zoo, Melton Country Park, Stonehurst Farm, Hollywood Bowl, and have visited the pantomime at De Montfort Hall twice. One especially memorable trip was a trip on the Great Central Railway from Rothley to Loughborough and back, which we all loved.
Eventually, we found it difficult to support his interests in crafts and cooking outside of the home, and we approached the Independent Visitor team to discuss the possibility of our young person coming to our home during visits. After discussions and approvals from scheme coordinators and social workers, our young person began coming over and now regularly visits our home after going out on a trip. Together, we walk the dogs, watch films, cook pizza, bake cakes and make fudge. He loves our two dogs, and they also look forward to him coming to visit us!
Volunteering’s impact
Our young person is an absolute joy to be with. He always wants us to play and often gets us to climb trees and play hide and seek in country parks. He has made us feel young again, even though we might ache the next day!
He recently asked us if we would remain in his life when he has grown up, and we were happy to assure him that we would always be there, as long as he wanted us there.
We feel so joyful after each visit, and are really fortunate to have met him. We are sure that there are so many benefits for our young person, but, equally, there are so many for us.
Person:David and Denise
Although we are keen to hear from anybody interested in the scheme, there is currently a specific need for Independent Visitors willing to match with Leicestershire’s teenagers, and Leicestershire children and young people living on the county border and beyond. Applicants are welcome to apply as individuals or as a couple.
For more information about becoming an Independent Visitor, either as an individual or as a couple, you can visit our website, or contact the fostering team by emailing fostering@leics.gov.uk or calling 0116 305 0505.