Mencap Volunteer Visitor (Cars, garden centres, and tea and cake! - Reigate and Redhill)

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 an older gentleman with a learning disability who lives in a home, directly between Reigate and Redhill town centres. He has a special interest in cars and also enjoys sensory items and activities. He is non-verbal, but he uses his body language to communicate with you. He would love for someone to take him out to a garden centre for a look around and some tea and cake, or a nice visit and spot of lunch to a country side pub! He also loves going to the coast, going to museums (car museums particularly), or to race courses like brands hatch (you will always be supported by a member of staff on your visits).

He is a gentle and quiet chap, who prefers quieter and more settled environments. As such, a volunteer who is patient and happy to go at a slower pace of life would be beneficial! He is more of a morning person so visits would ideally happen earlier in the day, and he is very flexible so would love to see someone on any day of the week!

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 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.

What skills do I need?

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.