Community Befriender

**Who are Midland Mencap?**:
Midland Mencap is a charity which works and campaigns for accessible and inclusive services and a better quality of life for everyone with experience of learning disabilities and additional needs. Volunteering with Midland Mencap is your opportunity to help us achieve our vision.

**Purpose of the role?**:
With your friendly attitude and knowledge of the local area, you could be the support a Midland Mencap citizen needs to access and enjoy their local community and make a big difference to their lives.

Some of our citizens living in residential care may be dealing with a variety of difficulties including depression, isolation, physical and mental health problems,

Your role will be to help them to enjoy their local community in the way that they want; this may include activities such as going shopping, attending an event, visiting a park or a local facility - and having fun.

**What would I be doing?**:

- Visit a Midland Mencap citizen who is living in residential care
- Accompany them to agreed community locations and activities
- Provide a befriending support role to ensure the citizen enjoys a positive experience
- To record and maintain basic records as required
- To ensure the activities undertaken complies with safeguarding, equal opportunities, health & safety and other policies and the guidelines provided by Midland Mencap.

**What skills do I need?**:

- Being approachable and friendly
- Good communication skills
- Knowledge of, and able to travel to local places
- Accepting of others who might be different to you and the ability to work as part of a diverse team
- A willingness to learn and act within guidelines set out by Midland Mencap
- Honesty, integrity and trustworthy
- Good time management skills, reliability

An enhanced DBS check will be required by all successful applicants.

**When and where do you need me?**:

- A minimum of 4 hours per month - ideally once a week.
- Days and times are flexible and agreed in advance, but there may be some specific activities the citizen wishes to attend
- In the local community

**What’s in it for me?**:
As one of our valued volunteers, Midland Mencap will offer you:

- The opportunity to make a difference to the lives of people with learning disabilities and their family carers
- An induction and settling in period
- Any training and development that is needed
- The chance to develop your skills and gain experience
- The opportunity to meet new people and be part of a diverse team
- Support within your role
- Any out-of-pocket travel expenses
- Lots of appreciation for your amazing contribution
- Positive wellbeing from doing something great
- Improve career opportunities by adding your volunteer role to a CV and ask us for a reference

**What to do if you’re interested?**:
For more information or an informal chat, call 0121 442 2944 and speak to someone about how volunteering could work for you.