Goal17 Partners with the Royal Borough of Greenwich to Launch Independent Visitor Service
Apr 03, 2025
Goal17 Partners with the Royal Borough of Greenwich to Launch Independent Visitor Service
We are excited to announce that Goal17 has officially launched a new service with the Royal Borough of Greenwich! This is a significant milestone for us, and we couldn’t be more proud to be working alongside such a dedicated team of professionals to support Children in Care and Care Leavers in the borough.
What is the Independent Visitor Service?
At the heart of this new service is the Independent Visitor (IV) programme, which is designed to provide young people in care with a trusted adult who can offer friendship, support, and guidance outside of their care team. These volunteers, matched with young people, serve as a consistent and positive adult figure in their lives—someone who is there to listen, engage, and support them without any agenda other than to be a friendly, stable presence.
Independent Visitors spend quality time with the young people they are matched with, offering companionship and helping them access new activities or experiences that may not otherwise be available to them. This relationship can make a huge difference in the lives of young people, helping them to build confidence, feel supported, and navigate the challenges that often come with being in care.
Why This Service is So Important
For many young people in care, the idea of a trusted adult who is not part of the system—someone who is truly dedicated to them—is incredibly important. The Independent Visitor service is about fostering long-term, meaningful connections that help young people feel heard and supported during a critical time in their lives.
By working closely with the Royal Borough of Greenwich, we are able to match volunteers who are carefully vetted and trained, ensuring that they are equipped with the skills and understanding necessary to make a real impact. Through this service, we aim to help young people in Greenwich feel empowered, valued, and encouraged to thrive in their communities.
Co-Designing the Service with Stakeholders
One of the key principles behind this new service is co-design. At Goal17, we firmly believe in the power of collaboration. That’s why, from the very start, we’ve been actively engaging with all of the stakeholders involved—social workers, foster carers, young people, and volunteers—to ensure that the service we provide meets their needs and exceeds expectations.
Our initial conversations with the Independent Reviewing Officers (IROs) have been invaluable, offering insights into what works well and where improvements can be made. We’ll continue to collect feedback from everyone involved—ensuring that every voice is heard and that the service remains responsive and adaptable to the changing needs of the young people we support.
Looking Ahead
We are incredibly proud to be partnering with the Royal Borough of Greenwich on this project. Our goal is to make a lasting difference in the lives of young people in care, offering them the support and stability they need to grow, develop, and achieve their potential.
This service is just the beginning, and we look forward to expanding and improving it as we continue to listen, learn, and collaborate with the community.
Stay tuned for more updates on our work in Greenwich, and if you’d like to learn more about how we are making a difference, feel free to reach out or explore our services further.