Make a Difference in a Day - Painting & Gardening

Could you help spruce up a bedroom in a supported living home or tend to a garden to make it a social space people can relax and enjoy?  You don't need to me a DIY expert of have green fingers, just lots of enthusiasm and a willingness to get stuck in! You'll be working alongside people with learning disabilities to make home improvements that will have an impact long after you have finished.

people standing in a row with gardening tools corporate volunteers

Group sessions

Mencap runs a variety of community-led groups where volunteers support people with learning disabilities to enjoy fun, inclusive activities. One such group is Me Time a social inclusion and leisure programme offering sessions like cooking, bowling, gardening, poetry writing, and more. We run groups across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

People painting a World Down Syndrome Day poster

Events Support and Cheer Squad

Join the excitement by volunteering at one of Mencap’s fundraising or challenge events.  Whether you're helping behind the scenes or cheering on thousands of incredible fundraisers, your energy and support make a huge difference. We host events throughout the year in cities like London, Newcastle, Manchester and more.  It’s a great way to get involved , meet new people, and help raise vital funds in a fun, lively atmosphere!

Five London marathon cheer squad volunteers

Community Fundraising

Fancy doing something simple but impactful? Why not hold a bucket collection in your office, local town, supermarket or train station! All you need is a license from your local council and maybe some fancy dress to help draw in the crowds.

It’s not just about raising money, it’s a brilliant way to give Mencap more visibility in your community. By chatting with passers-by and sharing what we do, you’ll be helping spread awareness and encouraging others to get involved too. Every smile, conversation, and coin collected helps us support more people with learning disabilities. 

Two volunteers wearing Mencap hi-vis vest standing with buckets in Tesco

Host an Event

Another fantastic way to connect with people with a learning disability is by hosting an event. This could be something you organise yourself  with assistance from the Volunteering Team at Mencap.  Events such as a themed activity or social gathering or helping to host a celebration, such as a Christmas party in one of our supported living homes. It’s a great opportunity to bring people together in a fun and meaningful way.

man and woman with a microphone in front of lots of multicoloured balloons at a party

Skills-Based Volunteering

Lend your time, knowledge , and expertise to help people with a learning disability build confidence and prepare for work. You could support a Mencap employment workshop by assisting in the teaching sessions with maths and English, helping with CV writing, or offering interview tips, or even come up with your own way to get involved.  It’s a great way to make a personal impact and empower others on their journey into employment.

A photograph of an Supported Internship training session with the Mencap Training Academy logo on the blackboard behind the teacher

Mencap Charity Shop

Mencap receives a generous volume of donated goods to our charity shops and we’re incredibly grateful for every item! Through your team building day as a shop volunteer, you’ll help bring these donations to life by sorting, pricing, and preparing stock for sale. It’s a hands-on way to support our work while learning what goes on behind the scenes in a busy charity shop.  From creating eye-catching displays to chatting with customers, every task helps raise vital funds and gives Mencap greater visibility in the community.

corporate volunteers standing next to donations in a charity shop

Christmas Party Planning Volunteer

We're on the lookout for passionate volunteers to help us plan a Christmas party for some of our service users. Sign up as an individual or as part of a group, giving you the opportunity to work together as a team to host a special day. Engage with your local community and have some Merry Mencap fun!

Lady in a Christmas elf costume smiling in a wheelchair at a ps service

Corporate volunteering and partnerships

For more information about corporate volunteering please use our expression of interest form.

If you are interested in a broader corporate partnership with Mencap visit our Corporate Partnerships page.