Friendly and Enthusiastic Volunteer Needed! - Cambourne

Can you spare some time just 6 times a year? Do you have a friendly and enthusiastic demeanour? Want to make a MASSIVE difference to a person with a learning disability?

We support a very active, excitable, and welcoming gentleman in his 60s who loves to get out and about in the local area. This might be going to the beach to collect seashells, or to the farm to see the animals (especially the pigs). We are looking for a volunteer to visit him in his home and maybe accompany him out into the community. Initially the visits would be at his home. After some getting to know each other it may be possible to get out on trips accompanied by members of his excellent care team.

This gentleman has complex learning disabilities so experience in this area would be beneficial but not essential. He does not communicate verbally, but loves to interact with people in his facial expressions and body language. He will also lead you to things that he wants. He loves visitors and will be sure to show you around!

He lives in a care home where you will visit him, and where staff will support you to get to know him. Once you have got to know each other a little you may plan your trips out into the community.

You will need to have strong communication skills, and to be patient with those for whom communication can be a challenge.

For this role, you would also need to be:

• Confident
• Kind
• Patient
• Caring
• Independent
• Reliable
• Over 18
• Willing to make a longer term commitment (at least a year)
• Able to travel to the beneficiary's home (travel expense will be provided)

The Mencap Visiting Service was founded in 1963. It meant that the parents of a person with a learning disability could know that someone would look in on them when they were no longer around. In this volunteer role, you will not only be providing a valuable social visit to this man, but also honouring the wishes of his parents.

They wanted to make sure that somebody would be able to visit him when they were no longer able.