Voices Council Member (Northern Ireland)

Do you have a learning disability?

Would you like to volunteer and use your own experiences to have a say about what we do at Mencap?

Why we want you The Voices Council’s role is to advise Mencap’s Board of Trustees and Executive Team to help them to take decisions. They raise the important things that people with a learning disability experience and feel right now. By being a member of the Voices Council, you can help to influence and improve the lives of people with a learning disability by sharing your thoughts.

Why we want you

The Voices Council’s role is to advise Mencap’s Board of Trustees and Executive Team to help them to take decisions. They raise the important things that people with a learning disability experience and feel right now. By being a member of the Voices Council, you can help to influence and improve the lives of people with a learning disability by sharing your thoughts.

What you will be doing

• Meet in person 4 times a year with senior Mencap colleagues, Trustees and other people with a learning disability
• Be open to talking to Mencap colleagues about new things as they come up
• Share your experience and views internally within Mencap and externally in the media
• Bring up important things that people with a learning disability think, feel and experience
• Be a key part of the work that Mencap does.

The skills you need

• An interest and want to campaign and advocate for yourself and others
• Be open to share opinions about the issues facing people with a learning disability right now
• Prepared to speak up and challenge Mencap colleagues, including Executive members and our Trustees
• Be accepting and respectful of others who are working with you
• Have experience of being in a service or being supported. This could be social care, health or employment support
• Diversity in where you live and what type of living situation you have.

It will be even better if

• You have experience of or have worked with or know Mencap well
• You have had some Board and/or group meeting experiences in the past
• Have worked with external organisations and charities before
• Willing to learn about how to talk to the TV and radio if you want to do that
• You know how to raise money or have experience of business development
• You may identify as having another disability

What's in it for you

• Meet other people like yourself who help to change people’s lives. Voices Council members have told us that they have gained confidence, and it has helped them in their lives and the other things that they are part of
• Make a difference in the lives of people with a learning disability You will play a key role in how Mencap operates and thinks about things
• Learn new skills

How we will support you

• We will give you a full induction to the role and what Mencap is
• Feel supported, appreciated and valued for sharing your opinion and experience.
• All your out of pocket expenses will be paid according to our policy.

Take a look at our Easy Read website which explains in more detail how we will support you: https://www.mencap.org.uk/resource/support-provided-members-voices-council

Disclaimer

• There will be a selection process for this role.
• If you are in a paid group already, you may have to resign if you successfully join the Voices Council.

Accessible applications are encouraged and supported

We accept lots of different ways to apply to this volunteer role:

1. You can send us a video
2. You can send us an audio recording
3. You can send in an easy read application by email or post
4. You could call the Volunteering team on 07507782575, or send us an email at volunteering@mencap.org.uk.

We can’t wait to hear from you. If you need support to apply, please let us know on rachael.berry-zglobis@mencap.org.uk

We will be having an online drop in Q&A for potential applicants on 30 July from 4pm to 4:40pm - to join the Q&A click the link below: Microsoft Teams Q&A Drop In Meeting Link

About Mencap

Mencap is the leading learning disability charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We work with people with a learning disability and their families to challenge prejudice and change laws, and we directly support thousands of people to live their lives as they choose.

We have an ambitious vision for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

Volunteering with us is YOUR opportunity to help us achieve this, whilst having the chance to develop your skills, meet new people and join a passionate and dedicated team.

If you have questions about volunteering with Mencap, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us: volunteering@mencap.org.uk