IHC is on the look-out for people like you. We welcome applicants age 17 and over, from all walks of life, who have a clean police record, a warm heart and big desire to support others.
We offer a full induction and orientation programme for new volunteers. We also provide ongoing training with specific emphasis on understanding intellectual disability, communication and first aid.
Applicants are required to be police vetted.
IHC’s volunteer friendship programme is about making a positive change in someone’s life and gaining a new friend in the process. You and the person with the intellectual disability choose how to spend your time together and do things that interest you both.
We offer volunteering throughout the country. The relationship is one-to-one. This means you spend time with only one person, so you both to get to know each other.
You and the person with the intellectual disability choose how you spend your time. It could be, going to the museum or art gallery, seeing a movie, or going to a café for a coffee.
It is not time specific. There is choice. There is flexibility. The emphasis is on being out in the community having fun with someone who has shared interests with you.
The IHC online friendship programme links a person with an intellectual disability with a friend to connect with online or by phone, to have fun and build a friendship. You can connect from anywhere in the country. All communication and engagement with your friend is online – all you need is a digital device!
Spend time with your friend listening to music, doing a virtual exercise session together, playing an online game or just sharing with each other what has happened that week.
IHC's skill-based volunteering involves shorter, focused projects based on learning something new that the person wants to learn, for example, cooking, budgeting, gardening or sewing.
You work one-to-one with a person with an intellectual disability to develop a specific skill. You set the time commitment to fit the project.
Support us by volunteering in one of our op shops. You’ll help out with donations, pricing merchandise, stocking the shop and sales.
To find out more about our volunteering programme, the options available, or how to apply, visit our volunteering recruitment site.
An intellectual disability affects the way a person learns, communicates, or does everyday things. There are many different types of intellectual disability, they can be mild, moderate or severe. A person has an intellectual disability for life.
You will receive orientation before you start along with learning about intellectual disability and the resources available to you through IHC.
Orientation covers:
Your volunteer coordinator will ensure that you have access to ongoing training and provide you with any information specific to the person you are matched with that you may need.
We would like you to keep doing what you already do so that you don’t take time out of your busy life. For our volunteer friendship programme an hour or two per week is going to ensure that you get to know each other well. It’s more about including someone in your current activities, than finding more time. As a skill-based volunteer you set the time commitment to fit the project while still fitting in with your life.
You and the person with the intellectual disability choose how to spend your time together, it is important you make these decisions equally. Your volunteer coordinator will work with you to identify what you and the person with the intellectual disability are interested in doing together. For our friendship programme you might like to walk on the beach, go to the movies, or catch up over a coffee. Skill-based volunteering will be more structured.
Your volunteer coordinator will keep in contact with you regularly and is available to support and guide you. You can always contact them to discuss your role as a volunteer and what can be done to support you and the person you are matched with. Your volunteer coordinator will help you make changes if necessary.
You don’t need to know about intellectual disability. It is more important to get to know the person. Your volunteer coordinator will provide you with any information specific to the person you are matched with that you may need. IHC is a world leader in intellectual disability and has a great library, which is open to the public and free to join. Find out more about the IHC Library.
The person with the disability pays for themselves. IHC can reimburse you for reasonable expenses incurred during the time you share, for example your coffee, or petrol expenditure. We are grateful to our donors for enabling us to do this.
You will be reimbursed for reasonable mileage if it has been agreed with your volunteer coordinator in advance. We will need to see your driver’s license and ensure your car is roadworthy.
Health and safety is a large part of our obligation to volunteers and the people we support and we make sure you get all the information you need during orientation to assist with this.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with IHC. To find out more about our volunteering programme, the options available, or how to apply, visit our volunteering recruitment site.
Hayden has been in the friendship programme for just over a year. He said his friend Matt is a good guy. "I have fun with him. I look forward to seeing him.” Hayden has had some memorable moments and particularly enjoyed watching the Hurricanes play. He has created a list of some exciting and new activities for 2022!
IHC volunteer, Natalie (top right) has been keeping in touch with her friend, Kate (bottom) during lockdown. Natalie says, “Zoom has been a good source of connection and has also allowed us to plan future meet-ups when the levels go down.” On this occasion Kate invited her boyfriend, Adrian (top left) to join their Zoom chat and introduced him to Natalie. It was a 'thumbs-up' moment all round!
Before the COVID restrictions came into effect Robyn (right) and Dellys (left) had lunch in Kelburn and then took a walk to the lookout near the Cable Car. Here they are in front of a stunning view of Wellington.
IHC National Office
Level 15, 57 Willis Street
Wellington
9am to 5pm
Monday to Friday
