Buddies for Barnardo’s

Liverpool Council has teamed up with Barnardo’s, the children’s
charity, to provide “buddies” for its looked-after children via a
new independent visitor service.

Volunteers will be recruited next month to befriend up to 100
children in the council’s care that have little or no contact with
their parents.

They will be recruited, trained and supervised by Barnardo’s,
then matched with children according to their religion, racial
origin, cultural and linguistic background, and disabilities. The
scheme goes live in October and will be reviewed in three years
time.

Liverpool executive member councillor Ron Gould said: “We are
determined to do everything we can to improve life for young people
in care and make sure all Liverpool’s children have the same
opportunities.”