Volunteer Independent Visiting and Advocacy (VIVA) is an independent service, run by Oxfordshire County Council, providing children and young people with an independent visitor or advocate.
An independent visitor is someone who can provide a long term, confidential, befriending relationship on a one-to-one basis with young people aged between 8 and 18 and adults who have social care up to age 25.
An independent advocate acts as a representative or assists the young person or young adult, between the ages of 8 and 25, with getting their voice heard. Advocacy can be short-term, to assist in a few meetings or to resolve a quick problem. However, in some cases it can become long term if the young person wishes to have the same independent advocate in several meetings.
Volunteers are not part of social care services but commit to make a difference to children and young people by volunteering their time with VIVA.