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Stepping Out: walking buddy volunteer role

We are looking for volunteers for Stepping Out - a new service matching volunteers with clients living with dementia or memory loss to accompany them to go on short weekly walks.

Our clients will benefit greatly from going for regular weekly walks and companionship. This project will support them emotionally to go out by accompanying them to undertake short weekly walks near to their home, gradually increasing in length as they get more confident.

The volunteers will not physically support the clients but will be there to encourage and empathise with clients. A qualified staff member will undertake an assessment of the client’s walking ability, and confidence, as well as doing a home visit before the walks start.

We expect that each match will last for approximately 3-4 months initially.

What a walking buddy volunteer might do in this role:

  • Meet with a staff member and client to discuss the possible walks the client would like to do, and to understand their capabilities
  • To meet weekly (or as often as agreed) with the client at their home, and to accompany them on a short walk as assessed.
  • Ensure that the client is comfortable with walking and liaise with the staff team about any queries or concerns.
  • Assists with completion of the monitoring and user-involvement forms

Personal qualities most suited to this role:

  •  A liking for and an empathy with older people
  •  A reasonable level of fitness to comfortably undertake the walks
  •  A friendly and cheerful manner
  •  An ability to keep records and an understanding of the need for confidentiality
  •  A sense of humour
  • Reliable
  • An understanding of dementia (training provided)

 

Location: Various venues throughout the borough of Barnet.

 

How much time is involved? Ideally up to 2 hours a week to support a regular walk.

 

Training Required: All volunteers will be required to complete a short training course enabling them to support the clients.

 

Application form

Please contact Lisa Robbins, Volunteering Manager on 020 8432 1422 or email lisa.robbins@ageukbarnet.org.uk to discuss the role before sending your application.

Click here for the application form.

Click here for the role description