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Share Community
About UsShare works with disabled people who need extra help and support to realise their dreams and aspirations. We are a centre for learning and wellbeing for adults with learning disabilities, autism, physical disabilities, and mental health needs. Our aim is to help people live independent, happy, and healthy lives, and make their own choices.Share was founded in 1972. We are…
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Description

About Share

Share is a registered charity and a centre for training and wellbeing. We provide a range of programmes helping adults with learning disabilities, autism and other support needs become more happy, healthy and independent. Our vision is a world where disabled people are fully included in society, living the life they choose, and we need talented people like you to help us make that happen.

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.
  • 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.
Duties

Befrienders will meet people outside their homes, and go out locally together to do activities chosen by members. This could be going for a walk, cycling round the park, or helping with grocery shopping. As a volunteer Befriender you'll offer support and friendship to adults with learning disabilities and/or autism. Members of the scheme may also have a physical or sensory disability, and mental health needs.

Who will the volunteers be working with?
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.
Training
We offer a full-day training to all our Volunteers to give you the knowledge, skills, and confidence to get started. We offer additional training to our Befrienders covering Mental Health, Safeguarding, Behaviour that Challenges, and Makaton.

Time commitment

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.

Categories

UCL Departments

This organisation is one of our community partner organisations.

Like all volunteer recruiters we work with, they have signed up to our service standards, agreeing to abide by our policy on partnership working to keep you safe and supported whilst you volunteer.

You’ll never be out of pocket for volunteering through us – with in-London travel expenses to and from your volunteering guaranteed.

In addition, the team here at Students’ Union UCL Volunteering Service is here to support you throughout your volunteering journey – you can get in touch with us at any time.