Volunteer Befriender for people with learning disabilities
We are looking for volunteers to accompany members of our community to local churches in West Norwood (SE27) and West Dulwich (SE21). This is a wonderful, low-key opportunity to build a friendship with someone who sees the world differently to you. You don't need to be a Christian or religious!
This would involve arriving at their house half an hour before the service on the Sunday morning, walking over and attending the service and coffee afterwards with them, and then walking back to the house with them. All our members live less than a twenty minute walk from church. This is about a 2.5 hour commitment on a Sunday morning and we would ask you to commit to a regular slot (e.g. every other Sunday) so that our members can get to know you. This would not involve personal care. You would be there as the person's friend, chatting to them and accompanying them on part of their weekly routine.
L'Arche believes that good care and support involves feeding people's spiritual needs, as well as their physical ones. Many of our members with learning disabilities are deeply spiritual and going to church is central in their life. You would be supporting them to do something which brings them joy and meaning, as well as having the chance yourself to make friends and become part of L'Arche, a vivid intentional community.
This is an experience that will not only boost your CV, but also your confidence, and will grow you as a person.
Being friends with people with learning disabilities changes the way you see the world. You will learn to be more attentive to the world around you and be more open to difference.
You will learn to communicate more accessibly and there will be chances to have training in sign language.
You will receive first aid training and a range of other trainings including health and safety and autism awareness.
There is no one kind of person who comes to L'Arche London. We are very diverse in terms of ethnicity, nationality, educational background, religion, age, and LGBTQ+ identity. What our members share is an openness to difference, a curiosity about other people, and a desire to build strong friendships. We are also looking for people who are willing to commit to regular volunteering.
