Mencap Volunteer Visitor - Brighten ’s Conversation Abbey Wood

• Mencap Volunteer Visitor - Brighten Someone’s Week with Conversation & Company - Abbey Wood

We’re looking for a friendly volunteer to spend time with a man in his 70s who’s full of character and charm. Once he gets to know you, you’ll discover he’s a real chatterbox who loves a bit of banter, sharing jokes, and having a good laugh. If you enjoy conversation and light hearted company, you’ll be a great match. He’s a big fan of bingo, game shows, numbers and anything to do with maths, so there’s always something to talk about.

As your connection grows, there’ll also be chances to join him and his support staff on relaxed outings; like hopping on the bus to a local café for a bite to eat or exploring somewhere nearby together. This is a lovely opportunity to brighten someone’s week, enjoy great company, and make a real difference through simply being yourself.

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.

This is a Stop and stay, let’s get busy visitor role which means the person you will be visiting can communicate actively with you and take part in choosing or planning activities. As you get to know each our you may choose to ‘go out’ either with or without support from the staff that supports the person you visit. 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 an hour or longer, depending on what you 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
• Enjoying a walk
• A craft activity at home
• Reading a book/magazine together

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.

As a Mencap visitor you will:

• 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
• Meet new people
• Get on-going support, and feel appreciated and valued

As a Mencap visitor you will:

• 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

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.