Friendship Support Companion
A Simple Way to Make Someone’s Day
The IHC Volunteer Programme is all about connection — helping people with intellectual disabilities meet others in their community and do the things they enjoy, with someone who genuinely shares their interests.
Right now, we’re looking for a warm, friendly volunteer to spend time with a young woman who would love to get out and about more — with someone by her side.
The Person at the Heart of This Role
She enjoys many of the simple, everyday things that bring joy, like heading to the movies, browsing the shops, going for a walk or bike ride, baking something sweet, playing a few card games, visiting cafés, or just going on little outings.
For many of us, these things are part of everyday life. But for others, it can be hard to do them alone. That’s where you come in — by just showing up, being yourself, and sharing time together.
What Your Time Together Will Be Like
You’ll spend time together doing things you both genuinely enjoy. We’ll work with you to make a good match — one that feels easy and comfortable — based on shared interests, personality, and your availability.
- It’s not a formal support role — it’s about building a relaxed, natural friendship that grows over time.
- This is a flexible opportunity, so it can work around your life, whether you’re working, studying, or juggling a busy schedule. All we ask is:
- That you’re available to meet up at least once every couple of weeks
- And that you can stick with it for around six months, so the friendship has time to grow and feel meaningful
What You’ll Get Out of It
- A great way to build your confidence and experience for your C.V — especially if you’re thinking about working in community support, education, care, or people-focused roles
- A genuine friendship that’s as rewarding for you as it is for the person you’re supporting
- A sense of belonging, by being part of a small and supportive team of volunteers
- Opportunities for training, learning, and personal growth along the way
- And maybe the most important thing: the joy of knowing you’ve helped someone feel included, accepted, and seen for who they are
Requirements:
What We're Looking For
- You don’t need any special qualifications — just the right attitude and a willingness to connect with someone in a meaningful way.
- Here’s what helps this role work well:
- You’re open-minded and non-judgemental, and you know how to really listen
- You’re able to adapt how you communicate if needed — everyone’s different, and that’s a good thing
- You’re at least 17 years old, and you're someone others can count on: patient, kind, and reliable
- You’re genuinely interested in building a real friendship
- You enjoy doing a mix of things and like getting out into your local community — it makes it easier to help someone else feel connected too
- You have your own transport and a full driver’s licence — this gives you more flexibility with where you go and what you can do together
- You don’t need to have any experience with intellectual disability — we’ll give you a thoughtful orientation and ongoing support to help you feel confident in your role.
Please note: Due to the nature of this role, we may not be able to accept applicants who have a criminal conviction.
A Police background check is required for this role.
Time commitment:
This role is flexible, but we do ask for:
- Catching up at least once every fortnight
- Spending an hour or two together each time (depending on what you’re doing)
- Committing to the role for at least six months, so the friendship has time to grow
- It’s not a big time commitment — but it makes a big difference.
Getting started:
The first step is to express your interest by filling out the form below.
We will then put you in touch directly with the organisation for more information on the role and how to proceed.
Apply for this role:
