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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…
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 Social Buddies say?

'It was a real pleasure to spend the day with such nice people, in such a lovely place.'

'This whole project can be so empowering and potentially life changing.'

'I’ve found that I come home feeling really happy with a renewed appreciation for life.'

'I hope this project will continue to encourage new friendships and support networks.'

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

Do you want to do something great for your community, whilst having a really fun time? We are looking for volunteers to support adults with learning disabilities to go anywhere, and do anything!

We run monthly evening and weekend group trips and smaller friendship trips through our ‘I Chose my Friend’ scheme, we also support volunteers to organise their own trips out with members through our ‘Buddyship’ scheme. 

We run all sorts of trips, led by our students’ choices: a day trip to Paris, an overnight camping trip, climbing over the O2, white water rafting, clubbing, going to the theatre, visiting the seaside and much more. Signing-up means you’ll get to meet a wide variety of people, both members and volunteers. You’ll work as a small team to make sure that each trip goes well and everyone has fun.

Who will the volunteers be working with?
Your role may involve supporting our members to navigate the tube system, helping someone to buy a drink at the bar, or interacting with our members online. You may find that you are making sure that people get home safely, or that you are helping them to choose where they want to go for lunch. If you’re organising a trip with a student, you may liaise with parents & careers, book tickets, or pick up a student from their home. You’ll be helping our members to reach the goal they’ve set themselves, such as using money or using their mobile phone.
Training
A full-day training for all new volunteers to give you confidence in your role.
Ongoing support, and ‘top-up’ training from staff including topics like: Mental Health First Aid, Safeguarding, and Makaton.

Time commitment

You’ll sign up to one-to-one or group trips both in person or online where you will ‘buddy up’ with a member and have fun together! We’re hoping to find volunteers who can give a commitment of 4-6 hours a month.

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.