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L'Arche London
We're L'Arche, an international movement of communities for people with and without learning disabilities. L'Arche London, based in West Norwood, is made up of about 100 people with and without learning disabilities, some of whom live in our community houses and others who participate in our workshops or drama group. Joy, openness, and relationship is at the heart of our shared…
Description

Join our craft and garden workshops as a volunteer and support our members with learning disabilities in making, growing, and creating beautiful things. 

We're looking for volunteers to join our craft and garden workshops. The craft workshop, based on Norwood High Street, make mosaics, candles, lavender bags, embroidered cards, and much more. The garden, based about ten minutes walk from Tulse Hill station, has a greenhouse and produces wonderfully wonky fruit and vegetables.

So many of us enjoy art, drama, building objects, and gardening, but struggle to find a space for them in adult life. This is a brilliant opportunity to tap into your creative side and make and grow beautiful things with kind people.

Our volunteers describe the workshops as 'like a family', 'laidback', and 'welcoming'. This is a chance to create beautiful and delicious things and join a friendly, open community.

Duties

The two workshops run every weekday from 9:30 to 4:30 and we would ask you to commit to attending regularly (at least every other week for a half day or full day). You might get involved with the gardening or the crafting, or with music or drama workshops. You would be working alongside people with learning disabilities, joining in with community life and building friendships. You would not be expected to help with personal care and no experience with people with learning disabilities is necessary.

Who will the volunteers be working with?
The volunteers will be supported by the Volunteer Coordinator but on a day to day basis they will work with the members with learning disabilities and the assistants who support our members.
Training
All volunteers receive a foundational level of training in health and safety and accompanying people with learning disabilities. There will be opportunities to receive additional training in first aid, sign language, autism, and health and safety.

Time commitment

The two workshops run every weekday from 9:30 to 4:30 and we would ask you to commit to attending regularly (at least every other week for a half day or full day) so that you can build relationships with our members.
The length of time you can support with this depends on you. We would love to have longer term volunteers who can commit to coming for a year or so. However, if this doesn't work for you or you're only around for a few months in London, get in touch and we'll work something out.

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.