At a Glance
- Tasks: Spend quality time with a charming man, sharing laughs and enjoying activities together.
- Company: Join Mencap, the leading charity supporting people with learning disabilities.
- Benefits: Receive training, reimbursement for expenses, and ongoing support while making a difference.
- Why this job: Brighten someone's week and create meaningful connections through conversation and companionship.
- Qualifications: Be friendly, reliable, and passionate about supporting individuals with learning disabilities.
- Other info: Flexible visits, opportunities for outings, and a chance to develop your skills.
The predicted salary is between 10 - 13 £ per hour.
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 other, 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 tend 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 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 ongoing support, and feel appreciated and valued
About Mencap: 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.
Mencap Volunteer Visitor - Brighten Someone’s Week with Conversation & Company - Abbey Wood in Coventry employer: Royal Mencap Society
Contact Detail:
Royal Mencap Society Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Mencap Volunteer Visitor - Brighten Someone’s Week with Conversation & Company - Abbey Wood in Coventry
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the role and the person you'll be visiting. Research Mencap and understand their mission. This will help you connect better and show your genuine interest during any conversations.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your conversation skills! Think of some fun topics related to bingo, game shows, or maths that you can chat about. The more prepared you are, the easier it’ll be to break the ice and keep the banter flowing.
✨Tip Number 3
Be yourself and let your personality shine! The person you’re visiting will appreciate your authenticity. Remember, it’s all about building a connection and having a laugh together.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t hesitate to apply through our website! It’s super easy and ensures your application gets to the right people. Plus, we’re here to support you every step of the way!
We think you need these skills to ace Mencap Volunteer Visitor - Brighten Someone’s Week with Conversation & Company - Abbey Wood in Coventry
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to show your friendly and approachable side.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Share any previous experience you have with volunteering or working with people who have learning disabilities. It helps us understand how you can make a difference in someone’s life!
Show Your Passion: Express why you’re passionate about supporting individuals with learning disabilities. We love to see genuine enthusiasm for making a positive impact in the community.
Apply Through Our Website: Make sure to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you started on this rewarding journey!
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Mencap Society
✨Know Your Role
Familiarise yourself with the Mencap Volunteer Visitor role. Understand what it means to provide companionship and support to someone with a learning disability. Think about how your personality and interests align with the activities mentioned, like chatting, playing games, or going out for a meal.
✨Show Your Personality
This role is all about connection, so let your friendly and approachable nature shine through. Be ready to share a bit about yourself and your interests, as this will help build rapport with the person you’ll be visiting. Remember, they’re looking for someone who can bring joy and laughter into their week!
✨Prepare for Conversation
Since the person you’ll be visiting loves a good chat, think of some light-hearted topics or jokes to break the ice. You might also want to brush up on some fun facts about bingo or game shows, as these are likely to spark engaging conversations.
✨Ask Questions
During the interview, don’t hesitate to ask questions about the role and the person you’ll be visiting. This shows your genuine interest and helps you understand how best to connect with them. Plus, it gives you a chance to learn more about the support you'll receive from Mencap.