Mencap Volunteer Visitor (Epsom and Ewell)

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 have a gentlemen in his 60s who loves having visitors. He really enjoys a strong cup of tea, so would really enjoying walking down the road to the nearby cafe to have a cuppa and a cake! He also loves Rupert Bear books and jigsaws, so you could also spend time with him in his home doing a jigsaw or reading to him, whatever he fancies on the day! He has limited verbal communication but has a great understanding of what you are saying, so using pictures to help him communicate can be very helpful!

He is a very active chap, and does a lot of activities in the week, including horse riding and swimming which he loves!

We also have an older gentleman who would love for someone to come and visit him. He absolutely loves Maltesers, so bringing him this special treat is a special part of the visit for him! This visit will involve sitting with him and chatting to him and his staff to see how he is doing, either in the living room or outside in the garden in the summertime.

He visits a day centre or goes out for activities on Monday afternoons, Tuesday mornings, and Friday afternoons, but otherwise is flexible around what time you can visit.

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

• Sitting and spending time with them
• Checking in on their well- being with staff
• 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
• You might be able to bring a treat that the person enjoys, like chocolates or fruit
• Some people we support enjoy sensory experiences so items that will stimulate their senses can also help you create a sense of connection with the person you visit.

Your volunteer manager will be happy to help you with ideas and suggestions.

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
• Willing to provide us with two character references and complete a DBS check
• Be over 18 years of age
• Commit to visiting 6 times a year, for at least a year