A children's service is desperate for volunteers to befriend youngsters who are in care across the district.

The Shipley-based project Seen and Heard is looking to double its volunteers and is especially looking for men from different ethnic backgrounds.

The project was set up four years ago to offer youngsters a one-to-one Independent Visitor (IV) service, to give youngsters time away from their shared or foster homes.

They are taken out once a fortnight by visitors to enjoy activities.

IV manager Wendy Perinovic said: "We are desperately looking for volunteers and definitely more men.

"They have to be over 21 and we are not necessarily looking for people with experience. We need people who can spend time with a young person and who can make a five-year commitment to a befriending relationship.

"They become the adult in that child's live and may come to know them longer than any other professional involved and that is extremely significant. They will take them out for fun recreational activities about once a fortnight.

"It is a befriending relationship and a mentoring role. It is definitely not the role of a carer.

"There are very strict boundaries given to the relationship, the visitor wouldn't be able to take a young person home and are not supposed to involve them with their family.

"It is about making that young person a special person to you."

Across the district, there are about 800 "looked after children" at any one time.

In 2004, Bradford Council set up a participation service to cater for youngsters and commissions Barnardos to implement this service.

Enquiry sessions will be held at 2pm and 6pm on Wednesday, February 6, and Independent Visitors will undertake two days of training. Contact Wendy Perinovic or Martyn Weatherill on (01274) 531466 or e-mail wendy.perinovic@barnardos.org.uk.