About the Organisation
Share Community is a charity dedicated to empowering adults with learning disabilities, autism, and mental health needs to live happier, healthier, and more independent lives.
What you will be doing
About the role
This is an exciting project launched in response to the impact that prolonged periods of isolation have had on those who are vulnerable within our community. You’ll give people regular valuable contact with someone outside their immediate support bubble, helping them feel less alone. You’ll support them to maintain positive mental health and encourage communication on meaningful topics or shared interests, helping promote positive outlooks and raised confidence.
We’d like our Befrienders to commit to one visit per week, spending up to two hours together. This can be at any time, on any day of the week, depending on what is convenient for both people. In order to give our members some stability, we’re hoping to find volunteers who can commit for at least six months. After six months, Share staff will support you to either end or continue the Befriending.
What's in it for you?
Share is a member of Befriending Networks, a charity providing support, training and guidance to hundreds of befriending projects across the UK. Befriending Networks envisages a society that values befriending, recognises its importance, and provides befriending support to everyone who needs it. What do our current Befrienders say? ‘My favourite thing about being a Befriender is being able to positively impact on someone's life.’ ‘There is also lots of support for volunteers, well organised and is always made enjoyable by the staff.’ Why choose Share Community? We previously received a Best Practice in Volunteering Award from Lifetimes, an organisation that supports voluntary and community activity in Wandsworth. They were particularly impressed by the support, training, recognition and reward that we give to our volunteers and that we recruited people with additional support needs and those from marginalised backgrounds.
In return for you giving up your time for us, you can expect: • A warm welcome into our organisation from our dedicated volunteering team. • A full-day training for all new volunteers to give you confidence in your role. • Ongoing support, and ‘top-up’ training from staff including topics like: Mental Health First Aid, Safeguarding, and Makaton. • An opportunity to develop new skills and add to your CV. • A reference for your time with us. • Reimbursement of travel expenses within TFL zone 1 – 6. • £5 towards lunch, or a free lunch in our onsite canteen at our Clapham Junction site (if volunteering for more than four hours a day). • Invitations to all our events such as: our garden parties, away days, Christmas parties and our student awards ceremony. • The opportunity to have your say in our annual volunteer survey. • A genuine opportunity to make a difference and become part of a community.
What skills will you need?
What's the time commitment and where?
We’d like our Befrienders to commit to one visit per week, spending up to two hours together. This can be at any time, on any day of the week, depending on what is convenient for both people. In order to give our members some stability, we’re hoping to find volunteers who can commit for at least six months. After six months, Share staff will support you to either end or continue the Befriending.
Location: Share Community Ltd 64 Altenburg Gardens, SW111JL. Local to Wandsworth or Lambeth
How can I apply?
Please complete the form below and we will put you in contact with the organisation. It’s helpful if you can tell us a little about yourself and why you’re interested in this role in the message box below.
By completing this form you agree for us to pass on your contact details to the organisation.