Mencap looks for Link Me volunteers

Link Me seeks to enhance the wellbeing of older people with a learning disability who are 55 and over and live Carrickfergus, Larne, Newtownabbey and Omagh by providing opportunities for them to take part in, and be included in, the life of their local community.

Encouraging people to volunteer and make a difference, Mencap community engagement manager, Marie McGale said that by giving up a small amount of time, volunteers can make a positive difference to someone’s life. “What we may consider to be an everyday part of life can often be a lot more difficult for someone with a learning disability. As part of the Link Me project our volunteers will support participants by trying out new activities with them and doing the things they want to do. Things that most of us take for granted, such as joining a social club for older people or going to a class in a leisure centre," she said.

“Volunteering is an incredibly rewarding experience and by donating two to three hours a week, or a fortnight, volunteers can really help to lessen the sense of exclusion often felt by older people with a learning disability, so please think about getting involved and making a difference.”

The half million pound project is funded by the Big Lottery Fund through the Reaching Out Connecting People Programme and run in partnership with Volunteer Now and in association with the Senior Gateway Clubs in Carrick and Omagh, two Mencap local groups.

Paul Dinsmore, regional manager of Volunteer Now said that volunteering was a very community orientated and social activity. “Every Link Me volunteer will make a real difference to the social wellbeing of older people with a learning disability. Through training and the acquiring of new skills, volunteers will be taking part in an exciting and rewarding role that will have an immediate and positive impact on people in the local community and I would really encourage people to sign up," he said.

To apply and for more information:

• If you live in Carrick, Larne or Newtownabbey see http://bit.ly/1esM4Gu
•  If you are from Omagh and the surrounding area see http://bit.ly/1imJJgZ