Mencap Volunteer Visitor - Share Simple Joys. Make a Big Difference - Hatfield, Herts

We’re looking for a kind hearted volunteer to spend time with a gentle man in his 60s who loves company and truly values having a friend of his own. He is nonverbal, but he communicates in other meaningful ways, and we’ll support you to learn how he expresses himself so you can build a genuine connection together. He enjoys making music and exploring different instruments, and he lights up when sharing that creative time with someone. He also loves looking through magazines, especially bridal magazines, which he finds fascinating and comforting. Could you be the person who visits him every other month, gets to know him in the way he communicates best, and helps brighten his day simply by being there? This is a wonderful opportunity to offer companionship, share simple moments of joy, and make a lasting difference.

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 visit role, meaning that the person you’ll be visiting might have some verbal communication skills or they use sounds and/or facial/body expressions to communicate with you. The person you visit might choose to take part in simple activities or watch you doing the activities. Your volunteer manager will be happy to help you with ideas and suggestions for things you can do. Visits will vary in length but tend to be around half an hour to an hour long.

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
• 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.

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

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

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.