We are looking for someone to befriend a lovely, friendly man with a learning disability in Hampton Wick. He enjoys the company of new people and is looking forward to having a new visitor who will be chatty, warm and patient towards him. At home, you could do baking together, colouring, painting, or looking through pictures and magazines about sports cars. When going out, he enjoys a potter around the garden or the local park, going bowling, to the cinema or to a local café.
This gentleman is non-verbal. He prefers to communicate through gestures and some Makaton/BSL. It’s not at all necessary for you to have experience with this, just a positive attitude and willingness to try.
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.
JOB ID 35723