What level of support does a volunteer with a learning disability need?
Ask them!
The volunteer is the best person to answer this question. They will be able to tell you or show you what support they need.
The level of support someone needs depends on the individual.
For example, one individual may need support with travelling to their volunteering opportunity, whereas another individual may be able to travel independently but may need support with understanding their tasks.
Support needs vary and can change over time too.
When you are asking a volunteer with a learning disability how they like to be supported it is good to do this in a few different ways.
We asked some of our volunteers with learning disabilities and here is what they had to say:
Taster sessions
You can ask them to attend a taster session so you can get to know each other and chat about what support they would like.
Our volunteers with learning disabilities commented that this was often the best way for them to get a feel for a new opportunity and to alleviate their worries about support.
Questions that would be good to ask are:
- ‘How can we help you get the most out of your volunteering?’
- ‘Do you have any support needs that you’d like us to know about?’
- ‘Do you need help with certain tasks?’
Support and health needs
You could create a form that collects information about a volunteer’s support and health needs.
With the volunteer’s consent, you could also request information from the people who support them, such as:
- another organisation
- a family member
- a social worker
Cefnogaeth networks
Your volunteers may be working with several professionals who all need to support them well.
To help with this, you can record information so you have something to look over and remind you of how that individual wants to be supported.
With their consent, it can be shared with new members of the team who may also be working with that individual.
It is also a good way of evidencing skill development, potentially highlighting how an individual’s support needs have reduced while volunteering with you.
Including support networks
Offer for the volunteer to come to their first meeting or sessions with support.
This will reassure them knowing they have that option.
Some volunteers only need support for the first few sessions while they settle in.
Other disabilities and additional needs
Some volunteers with learning disabilities may have other disabilities too.
Do not forget to ask the individual about other support needs too including mobility needs, personal care, autism, mental health conditions.
Appropriate personal care facilities
Personal care means supporting someone to look after their own personal hygiene and appearance.
Some adults with learning disabilities need support with this and should attend with a support worker if this is the case. Providing changing facilities with bins is ideal.
Words from our volunteers
Simone
Simone is a volunteer with a learning disability at Innovate Trust’s Secret Garden project. Simone likes to volunteer with Jane, her support worker.
I like working with Jane because she understands me and we work well together. Jane helps me when I get stuck. She keeps me focused on my jobs. Jane's good. Jane helps me to get to my volunteering and she helps me to volunteer
Louis
Louis is another volunteer with a learning disability at The Secret Garden. Louis does not have a support worker but likes to have a Project Officer’s support.
Our Secret Garden Project Officer, is there during volunteering sessions to guide our volunteers.
I like to be told what to do and what jobs there are to do. I like to be shown how to do it correctly, so I do not make a mistake. Our Project Officer does a really good job, and he is always there to help.
Kyle
Kyle is another volunteer with a learning disability at The Secret Garden.
Kyle prefers to volunteer more independently.
I like working on my own, doing things by myself. I know what tools to use, and I am happy to do this without help. No bossy people telling me what to do. Our Project Officer shows me what to do and then I get on with it by myself.
