Volunteering Opportunities
Click on a role to find out more:
Bushey Shop Volunteer
Where
Bushey High Street
Reporting to
Shop Manager
Day/Time
Monday – Saturday (hours to be agreed with manager)
Main Tasks
- Sorting donated goods, steaming clothing and preparing goods for sale.
- Providing excellent customer service.
- Working on the till.
- Maintaining the high standards and image of the shop.
- Promoting Watford Mencap and its services to the general
- public.
Skills required
- Retail, customer service.
- Good communicator, honest, careful and methodical.
- Understanding of limitations and boundaries.
- Able to take direction and work with minimum supervision.
- Literate and/or Numerate
- You will be volunteering alongside people with a learning disability so need to be patient, non – judgemental and have a good sense of humour.
Commitment
- Morning shifts are 9.30am-1.30pm
- Afternoon shifts are 1.30pm-4.30pm
- Mini shifts available. All shifts to be arranged with manager.
Training available
Learning Disability awareness. In-role training.
Contact details
Michelle Hamilton – 01923 969 118
Email: mhamilton@watfordmencap.org.uk
Befriender
Where
Hillside / Berrywood / Thorpedale – Watford Mencap Homes
Reporting to
Manager of relevant group home
Day/Time
Regular activity
Varied – to be agreed between group home and volunteer
Main Tasks
As a befriender, your skills, personality and location will be matched appropriately to an individual that has requested support on a one-to-one basis. Every individual has different needs and therefore the person you visit might like to do a range of different activities:
- This could be supporting them with agreed activities.
- Taking them to appointments
- Sitting and having a chat
- Checking in on their well- being
- Going out to a local café/pub for a meal/drink
- Enjoying a walk
- A craft activity at home
- Reading a book/magazine together
- To support them on shopping trips - including handling money, ensuring correct change given etc.
- Helping individuals achieve specific goals.
- Developing an individual’s skills needed to achieve greater independence.
- Offering emotional support through times of change.
- Signposting individuals to access information and advice relating to their action plan.
- Ability to drive clients in own vehicle with appropriate insurance – if applicable / drive Watford Mencap vehicle.
Skills required
As a Befriender you will be:
- Friendly and approachable
- Accepting of others who might be different to yourself.
- Reliable and patient
- Passionate about supporting people with a with a learning disability.
- Good sense of humour.
Commitment
Weekly or fortnightly for a couple of hours, on a regular basis for 6 months plus.
Training available
DBS will be required and arranged by Watford Mencap.
Learning Disability awareness and Safeguarding Training will be provided, as well as any other identified training needs.
Contact details.
Anjalee
Volunteer Coordinator
apopat@watfordmencap.onmicrosoft.com
07766 114 937
Website Project Volunteer
Where
92a Langley Road, Watford, Herts, WD17 4PJ / working from home
Reporting to
Volunteer Coordinator / Marketing Manager
Day/Time
TBC – dependent on availability
During office hours
Helping Watford Mencap to update sections of our website which focus on Volunteer Recruitment / Recruitment to streamline this section and bring it more in line with the same format and branding at Royal Mencap
Main Tasks
- Reviewing the format, content, branding to bring into line with Royal Mencap
- Review the Volunteer Recruitment / Recruitment section currently online for Watford Mencap and work with the Volunteer Coordinator and Marketing Officer to update pages - content / format / images inline Royal Mencap
- May include some updates for our social media
Skills required
- Experience with editing website content and images
- Able to work without direct supervision and bring experience and ideas to the project
Commitment
To be agreed once the scope of the project has been agreed, but we will need a commitment to complete the project.
Training available
You will be given training in various aspects of the work.
You will receive ongoing training and support at regular supervision meetings.
Benefits to Volunteer
This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone with website experience to add to your skills base and make an invaluable contribution to the work of Watford Mencap and help us put something back into the local community. If you want to make a difference and be part of this dynamic and forward-thinking team, this is the project role for you.
Contact details
Anjalee Popat
Volunteer Coordinator
apopat@watfordmencap.org.uk
07766 114 937
Reception Volunteer
Where
92a Langley Road, Watford, Herts, WD17 4PJ
Reporting to
Office Manager
Day/Time
TBC – dependent on availability
During office hours. (9.30am - 5.15pm)
Customer service, dealing with enquiries from the public and business community. Some IT tasks, emails and data entry.
Main Tasks
Duties will involve covering reception, answering phones and welcoming visitors. Possibly laminating, shredding, and typing.
Possible support for Events admin.
Please note, this is an expanding role where there may be other opportunities to be explored within the organisation.
However, during quieter times throughout the shift, we are happy for the volunteer to bring in desk-based activities of their own.
Skills required
Happy to be part of a team and can communicate well with others. Willing and helpful, reliable, and trustworthy. A good standard of IT skills is necessary, including Word and Excel.
Excellent communication skills, reliable and trustworthy, able to work as part of a team, patient and empathetic.
Be able to demonstrate genuine commitment to the values and goals of Watford Mencap.
Commitment
A regular weekly commitment – TBC
Training available
You will be given induction training in the various aspects of the work.
You will receive ongoing training and support at regular supervision meetings.
Benefits to Volunteer
This is a fantastic learning and development opportunity. Also, a chance to brush up skills and add to your skills base, as well a great way to make friends and put something back into the local community. If you want to make a difference and be part of this dynamic and forward-thinking team, this is the role for you.
Contact details
Anjalee Popat
Volunteer Coordinator
apopat@watfordmencap.org.uk
07766 114 937
Friday Coffee Morning Volunteer
Where
92a Langley Road, Watford, Herts, WD17 4PJ
Reporting to
Manager of Project – Lorna Betts
Day/Time
Friday mornings when the coffee morning is running – which is throughout the year (not only term times).
Description
Watford Mencap hosts a coffee morning every Friday from 10am-12pm for adults with learning disabilities in the local community. As well as tea/coffee and biscuits our visitors are provided with a rotating carousel of fun activities to participate in if they wish – ranging from bingo to arts and crafts. Whether they are looking to have a hot drink and relax amongst friendly faces, or learn new skills, Watford Mencap coffee mornings are a warm and welcoming start to Fridays.
We need volunteer support in the following areas:
- Throughout the year – not just term time
- Setting up the coffee morning with hot drinks and refreshments, tables and chairs and then helping to tidy that all away
- Helping clients to participate in coffee morning activities such as Art and Crafts, Bingo activity, as well as any other activities we may introduce.
- Assisting the staff who manage the coffee morning with ad-hoc requests to help our participants.
Main Tasks
Engage with the service users of Watford Mencap Coffee mornings, staff and other volunteers in a respectful and professional manner while assisting with the delivery and success of the weekly event.
Support our service users to make choices for themselves and enable them to be as independent as possible whilst at the coffee morning and Watford Mencap sites.
Social engagement with clients, helping staff with safeguarding people, encouraging participation, helping clients at learning new skills and enhance existing ones.
Skills required
Excellent communication skills, reliable and trustworthy, able to work as part of a team, patient and empathetic.
Be able to demonstrate genuine commitment to the values and goals of Watford Mencap.
Ideally you will have an interest in music, sports, art and crafts.
Commitment
A regular weekly commitment Friday morning 09.00 to 12.30
Training available
Full induction and ‘on the job’ training
Contact details
Anjalee Popat
Volunteer Coordinator
apopat@watfordmencap.org.uk
07766 114 937