Friendly Volunteer Visitor - Caterham

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We support a gentleman in his 80s living in Caterham. He loves music and singing along, and going out in the car for a coffee. He has limited verbal communication but once he gets to know someone he really enjoys the company. He is looking for an older person, ideally with a car, to come and visit him in his home on Caterham.

He is very routine driven, and does not like his routine to be broken, so visits will initially take place on a Wednesday afternoon and include joining in the music session with him. Once he gets to know you and feels more comfortable visits can be more flexible, in summer in particular he would enjoy sitting outside and sharing a drink with you.

He has few visitors and doesn't see many people except his housemates and care staff. That's where you come in - by visiting every other month you will make a huge difference by giving him some special attention and company. You will also help fulfil the wishes his parents had for him when he was signed up for our service.

Visits will be every 2 months at his home, ideally on Wednesday afternoons to begin with, with more flexibility after he gets to know you a bit better. Visits will probably be quite short to begin with, but could last around 1-2 hours once your relationship develops. The exact times can be flexible to your availability but we ask for a minimum commitment of 1 year.

You will be introduced and get to know him with the support of Mencap and his care staff, and will have ongoing support from your volunteer manager once you start visiting independently.

As a Mencap Visiting Volunteer you will be:

• 18 or over
• Friendly and approachable
• Reliable and patient
• Able to use initiative
• Accepting of others who might be different to yourself
• Have good communication and listening skills
• Willing and able to provide two references

For more information or any questions, please email:

Benefits

As a Mencap volunteer you will receive:

• Personalised training and induction
• To feel fully supported in your role
• Agreed out-of-pocket expenses to be reimbursed (e.g. travel, a gift for the person you visit)
• Meet new people
• Learn new skills
• Feel appreciated and valued
• You will be making a difference!

About Mencap

1.5 million people in the UK have a learning disability. 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.

For more information about what a learning disability is click here

Volunteering with Mencap 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.

About this service
We offer a lifelong befriending service for people with learning disabilities. Matching the skills and interests of passionate visitors with the specific hobbies and interests of individual people with a learning disability.

Our 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, our visitor is the only person in someone's life who isn't paid to be there for them.