Mencap Volunteer Visitor (Hot chocolates and chats - Caterham)

Royal Mencap Society; Tandridge; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

The Royal Mencap Society seeks enthusiastic volunteer visitors in Tandridge to support individuals with learning disabilities. Volunteers will engage in meaningful activities, such as chats, walks, and community outings, to improve the wellbeing of the person they visit. This is a rewarding opportunity to make a significant difference while receiving support and training.

Benefits

Personalised volunteer induction and training

Reimbursement for agreed out-of-pocket expenses

On-going support and appreciation

Qualifications

• Must be accepting of others who might be different.
• Enthusiasm for spending time with people with learning disabilities.
• Ability to engage or suggest community activities.

Responsibilities

• Spend quality time with the person you visit and engage in various activities.
• Provide companionship and check on wellbeing.
• Assist with planning outings in the community.

Skills

Friendly

Reliable

Patient

Passionate about supporting people

Job description

Mencap Volunteer Visitor (Hot chocolates and chats - Caterham)

• Mencap Volunteer Visitor (Hot chocolates and chats - Caterham)

We offer a lifelong befriending service for adults with learning disabilities. Matching the skills and interests of passionate visitors with the specific hobbies and interests of the people we visit. Visitors visit six times a year to create a 1-2-1 connection, offer companionship, encourage people to do the things they enjoy and check-in on their wellbeing. In many cases, the visitor is the only person in someone’s life who isn’t paid to be there for them.

We are looking for a volunteer to visit a fun lady in her 70s, who loves to go for a walk to the local cafe for a hot chocolate and chat. She is very chatty and loves to ask you questions about yourself and what you've been up to. These visits will take around 1-1.5 hours and usually involve a short walk together to the cafe to have a hot chocolate, but if the weather is really bad you'll spend your visit just catching up over a cup of tea at her home. She would ideally prefer a female visitor, so we especially welcome applications from women.

This is an Out and about visit role which means your visits are likely to be longer, very active and the person you visit will often take an active part in planning your outings and activities in the community. Your volunteer manager will be happy to help you with ideas and suggestions for things you can do. Visits will vary in length but tends to be around a couple of hours, sometimes shorter or longer, depending on what you plan to do.

In this role you will spend quality time with the person you visit and could do a range of different activities like:

• Sitting and having a chat
• Checking in on their well- being
• Going out to a local café/pub for a meal/drink
• Take part on community activities like visiting a place of interest, go shopping etc.
• Enjoying a walk
• A craft activity at home

As a Mencap volunteer visitor you will be:

• Friendly and approachable
• Accepting of others who might be different to yourself
• Reliable and patient
• Passionate about supporting people with a with a learning disability.
• Have the opportunity to help make a difference to the life of the person you visit
• Receive a personalised volunteer induction and training
• Have agreed out of pocket expenses reimbursed
• Get on-going support, and feel appreciated and valued

About Mencap

About Mencap Mencap is the leading learning disability charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We work with people with a learning disability and their families to challenge prejudice and change laws, and we directly support thousands of people to live their lives as they choose. We have an ambitious vision for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

Volunteering with us is YOUR opportunity to help us achieve this, whilst having the chance to develop your skills, meet new people and join a passionate and dedicated team.

If you have questions about volunteering with Mencap, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us: [e-mail]