Volunteer with us

Volunteering at Ealing Mencap means that every day you help change people’s lives for the better – regardless of whether you work directly with those who use our services or assist us in a different capacity.

Reasons to volunteer at Ealing Mencap

People volunteer with us for all kinds of reasons. You may have a family member with learning disabilities and want to give something back by sharing your skills. Or see it as a way to move to a paid position in our organisation. Maybe you simply want to gain some skills or work experience that you can add to your CV. Whatever your reasons for volunteering, we’d love to hear from you.

Volunteering opportunities

Volunteer Sessional Children and youth support worker

Hours: Casual hours – Evenings: Friday 6pm-9pm, occasional weekends, and potential for some sessions during school holidays.

Location: Various locations in Ealing. Main youth sessions will be at the young adult centre (YAC) Southall, with one-off events in Ealing Borough.

Reports To: SEND Family & Youth Participation Manager / SEND Family & Youth Services Coordinator

About Ealing Mencap

Ealing Mencap is a leading charity dedicated to supporting individuals with learning disabilities and additional needs, along with their families. Our mission is to build an inclusive community where everyone feels they belong, reducing loneliness, promoting independence, and ensuring that people’s voices are heard.

Our Values:

Inclusion, Support, Kindness, Teamwork, Honesty

Role Purpose

As a Volunteer Sessional Child & Youth Support Worker, you will assist staff in delivering fun, inclusive, and engaging activities for children and young people (aged 0–25) with additional needs. You will support:

• Fortnightly: Fridays at YAC – Southall
• Occasional Saturday sessions for children and young people
• One-off events, trips, and activities

You will help create a safe, welcoming environment, encourage participation, and support young people to develop confidence, independence, and social skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in delivering engaging, creative, and educational activities for children and young people aged 0–25.
• Build positive relationships with participants and their families, encouraging inclusion and confidence.
• Support setting up and tidying away equipment and resources before and after sessions.
• Help staff maintain a safe and clean environment at all times.
• Monitor engagement and wellbeing, reporting any concerns to staff.
• Encourage positive behaviour and act as a role model.
• Participate in team briefings, training, and reflection sessions as required.

Person Specification

• Enthusiastic, friendly, and approachable.
• Passion for working with children and young people with additional needs.
• Reliable, punctual, and committed to agreed sessions.
• Willingness to follow guidance from staff and work as part of a team.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people.
• Experience working or volunteering with children or young people.
• Experience working with people with learning disabilities and/or Autism, and an understanding of the challenges disabled children and young people experience.
• Understanding of youth issues, inclusion, or child development.
• First Aid or Safeguarding training (training can be provided).

What You’ll Gain

• Experience working with children and young people in a community setting.
• Develop skills in youth work, safeguarding, communication, teamwork, and event planning.
• Receive training and supervision from experienced youth professionals.
• Make a meaningful impact in the lives of local children, young people, and families.
• Be part of a supportive, inclusive team and community.

Additional Information

• DBS Check: Required (Ealing Mencap will support this process)
• Minimum Age: 18+
• Remuneration: This is an unpaid volunteer role, but reasonable out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed.
• Full induction and training will be provided.
• Opportunities to support additional events, trips, and Stay & Play sessions may be available.

There are many other ways you can help us. For example:

• Working directly with the people who use our services
• Providing telephone and email information and advice
• Helping us with marketing – using skills such as design, copywriting, photography and videoing
• Administrative tasks
• Using your skills or knowledge to run a session in one of our activity centres (for example, cooking, healthy eating, sports)

You can volunteer for a few weeks or on a long-term basis. From a few hours to a few days a week. If you are working directly with people with learning disabilities, we’ll give you the training and support you need. All volunteers will have full reference and DBS checks.

If you are interested in volunteering with us please complete our short application form and return it to hr@ealingmencap.org.uk

We look forward to hearing from you soon.