Vocational/Services Volunteer Roles in North East

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

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 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

·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 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

· 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 2 visits per month

· 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

Many people struggle to enjoy cycling, and some families often find the cost of adapted bikes mean that they cannot share fun times together.

Parkride is a fun and flexible inclusive cycling project using a range of adapted and standard bikes that provides anyone, regardless of age, ability or need, with the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors through cycling.

We require a volunteer van driver to help us deliver our custom-made bikes and trikes to locations such as parks and community centers around the West Midlands.

We’ve got the van; we just need you!

What would I be doing?

· You will be a vital link between us and the families we support, helping us to get the team and bikes to where they’re needed for arranged sessions.

· You’ll be the friendly face of Parkride, interacting with the families and ensuring the bikes are kept safe and secure whilst the team are out riding.

· Working with staff to load/unload the van before and after sessions.

What do I need?

· Minimum age 25

· Experience of driving a large van with a suitable driving licence

· A full and clean driving licence (held for a minimum of 5 years)

· Some lifting will be required and so a basic level of fitness is needed.

· Being approachable and friendly with good communication skills

· 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 work 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?

· The van is based at our head office in Woodgate Valley – B32 3BZ.

· We have several parkride sessions running throughout the week including evenings and weekends. Sessions vary from 2-4 hours (plus travel).

· We run sessions throughout the Midlands, including Birmingham (all areas), Dudley, Sandwell, Coventry, and Sutton Coldfield. You can choose which sessions you wish to attend.

· All sessions are weather dependent; however, we only cancel sessions in extreme weather. We would advise having a warm waterproof coat and suitable shoes.

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

· Improved physical and mental wellbeing from keeping active

· 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

· Agreed out-of-pocket travel expenses

· Lots of appreciation for your amazing contribution