Volunteer Befriender for people with learning disabilities

Accompany our members with learning disabilities to church.

What You'll Do: 
  • We are looking for volunteers to accompany members of our community to local churches in West Norwood (SE27) and West Dulwich (SE21).
  • This would involve arriving at their house half an hour before the service on the Sunday morning, walking over and attending the service and coffee afterwards with them, and then walking back to the house with them.
  • All our members live less than a twenty minute walk from church.
  • This is about a 2.5 hour commitment on a Sunday morning and we would ask you to commit to a regular slot (e.g. every other Sunday) so that our members can get to know you.
  • This would not involve personal care. You would be there as the person's friend, chatting to them and accompanying them on part of their weekly routine. 
Why You'll Love It: 

L'Arche believes that good care and support involves feeding people's spiritual needs, as well as their physical ones. Many of our members with learning disabilities are deeply spiritual and going to church is central in their life. You would be supporting them to do something which brings them joy and meaning, as well as having the chance yourself to make friends and become part of L'Arche, a vivid intentional community.

What You'll Learn: 
  • This is an experience that will not only boost your CV, but also your confidence, and will grow you as a person.
  • Being friends with people with learning disabilities changes the way you see the world.
  • You will learn to be more attentive to the world around you and be more open to difference.
  • You will learn to communicate more accessibly and there will be chances to have training in sign language.
  • You will receive first aid training and a range of other trainings including health and safety and autism awareness.
What We're Looking For: 

You do not have to be a Christian or religious for this role.

Summary
Volunteering
Befriender
Disability
Social Care
Lambeth
Southwark
Location of opportunity: 
West Norwood and West Dulwich
0 Weeks Minimum
0 Hours / Week
Skills you will develop: 
Active listening
Communication
Empathy
Languages you should know: 
English
Limited working
Requirements: 
DBS check
Over 18 years old

Similar Opportunities

 
Become a STEM Ambassador
London STEM Ambassadors
Min. 0 Weeks Minimum weeks
Become a STEM Ambassador
Volunteering
Ambassador
Education

If you are studying or researching a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Maths (STEM) related subject and want to volunteer and share your knowledge and experience with young people, you could become a STEM Ambassador.

 
Volunteer as an English/maths tutor
Team Up for Social Mobility
Min. 12 Weeks Minimum weeks
Volunteer as an English/maths tutor
Volunteering
Volunteer
Education, Social Mobility, Young People

Ready to make a difference to a young person's life? Team Up is seeking dynamic volunteers to help transform the lives of disadvantaged pupils by building confidence, resilience and doubling their expected progress in English or maths.

 
Workshop Facilitator
Climate Ed
Min. 26 Weeks Minimum weeks
Workshop Facilitator
Volunteering
Speaker
Education, Environment, Young People

A chance for you to inspire children and their families to take action on climate change by reducing their carbon footprints and leading a more climate-friendly lifestyle. All resources and training provided.

Related Articles

King's Volunteering
King's students and staff can now donate...
King’s students and staff can now donate items directly to partner charities, in an exciting new initiative by King’s Volunteering.
King's Volunteering
Volunteering for social care
Join a cooking, hula hooping, or congolese dance workshop, or get active and join a sports and physical activity-based befriending programme.
King's Volunteering
Five Ways to Wellbeing with King's...
You can practice the King's Five Ways to Wellbeing by volunteering – at home or in your local community. Here are some ideas to get you started.