Vision: Enrich lives through volunteering
Mission: Connect people and transform communities

Communication and friendship mentor - Hamilton

Hamilton
Organisation:
IHC Volunteering Programme - Waikato
Category:
Mentoring
Hours:
Both/Flexible

This involves being a volunteer with the IHC Friendship programme and supporting people with intellectual disabilities to have better friendship interactions, especially around communication.
The friendship programme matches volunteers to people with intellectual disabilities in a friendship based on shared interests, and is mostly about getting out in the community.
One thing that often arises is the lack of experience that people with intellectual disabilities have around friendship conversations and also what it means to have a friend, rather than a paid person in their life to do things with.
This exciting and rewarding new role has been developed to help people learn some friendship skills so that they can get to know more people and enjoy better friendships. This role is separate to the current friendship role and is now part of the programme to support people within the friendships.

The role will require you to be matched to one person at a time, to support them with learning and practicing friendship and conversational skills. You will be provided with an orientation and training and access to the IHC Library which has a huge amount of resources to help you with this role. You will also be supported by the IHC programme coordinator who will work with you closely when matching you with a person to ensure you have the information and resources you need.

You will also be part of a team here in the Waikato and will have opportunities to meet other volunteers at training sessions and volunteer get togethers.
You will also be part of a wider national volunteer programme and a longstanding organisation that supports and provides services for people with intellectual disabilities.

Requirements:
  • It is necessary for you to have great people and communication skills as you will be working with a wide range of people.
  • It is also important that you are patient, kind and have a good sense of humour.
  • While it is helpful that you have some experience with people who have intellectual disabilities, it is not necessary as we will provide training and as much support as you need.
  • Because this is a new role, ideally you should be pro active and keen to learn while we work together to establish this role.
  • There is also an opportunity for you to stamp your mark on this role and to make it your own, once you are comfortable with it.

A Police background check is required for this role.

Time commitment:
  • Ideally you are able to commit to two hours a week - one for lesson preparation and one for meeting with the person.

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.

Ref: 2882

Apply for this role:

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Other information (optional):
In applying for this position I confirm that I have read the requirements of the position and believe I have the skills and attributes required to carry out this role safely and effectively.
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