Dementia Group Support Volunteer
Age UK Westminster is developing groups based on the Maintenance Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (MCST) model, where group members who are living with dementia and other cognitive impairments can participate in meaningful and stimulating activities, proven to help maintain memory and mental function. The groups provide a fun, supportive environment where people can build new relationships.
MCST Activities include discussions, word games, quizzes, physical activities and creative and musical activities. The weekly sessions take place at St Marylebone Parish Church, 17 Marylebone Road, NW1 5LT.
Age UK Westminster’s monthly Memory Café offers a relaxed, informal setting for people with dementia and their family, friends and carers to get together. The Memory Café provides a mixture of talks, information and advice, entertainment and activities. The Café will be held at Regent Hall, 275 Oxford Street, London W1C 2DJ.
We are recruiting volunteers who can make a regular, long-term commitment to support the group activities sessions.
Although volunteers will not be expected to deliver the sessions, you may be asked to step in to provide support in cases of holiday, sickness or emergency.
Summary of duties:
- Helping the project leads to set up the venue and session activities on-site before the sessions begin.
- Welcoming clients to the session; providing a friendly smile as people arrive and chatting with clients and their carers.
- Encouraging and supporting clients to participate in activities.
- Preparing and distributing refreshments.
Skills/Attributes Required:
- Confident communication skills
- Punctual, reliable, trustworthy and flexible
- Strong organisational and planning skills
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Consistently friendly and professional approach
- Commitment to providing the best possible outcome for the person’s needs promptly
- Able to recognise and work within personal and organisational boundaries
- An understanding of the need for confidentiality
- A non-judgemental approach
- Willingness to work with minimum supervision
Desirable skills, experience and qualities:
- An interest in health and social care and basic knowledge of issues that affects older people.
- It would be an advantage if you have experience of dealing with, or caring for, those living with dementia informally (e.g., contact with or care of older family members), or formally in employment.
- A willingness to learn, and to participate in dementia training, is important to enable you to best help our clients and to help you get the most satisfaction from volunteering with this service.
Mandatory Training & Development:
- Full training and ongoing support will be provided
- General Induction
What we offer:
- The satisfaction of making a vital difference to the happiness and lives of those living with dementia and their carers.
- Opportunity to participate in a pilot programme running nationally across Age UK which is helping to develop additional dementia resources.
- For anyone looking to get into the charity sector or hospitality, this is a great way to get an insight as to what’s involved and gain rewarding new experiences.
- Free Enhanced Level DBS check
- Professional references after 3 months of volunteering
- Travel expenses reimbursed with proof of receipt
- Lunch expenses up to the value of £5 after a minimum of 4 hours of volunteering
How to apply