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Dementia Wellbeing East London Volunteer

This is a really rewarding role supporting people living with advanced dementia in their own homes.

Dem Vol
“Volunteering with the hospice has been a profoundly meaningful experience, and I’ve learned so much from both the training and the time I spent supporting a community member. Thank you for your understanding, and the incredible work you and the team do. I will always hold this experience close to my heart.” – DWEL Volunteer

The service

Dementia Wellbeing East London (DWEL) provides person-centred social and emotional support to people living with advanced dementia in the boroughs of Hackney, City of London, and Tower Hamlets. This service is delivered by our team of volunteers. 

Dementia Wellbeing volunteers

Our trained and supervised volunteers offer a series of ten dementia wellbeing sessions to people in their own home or in their care home or other care setting. 

The volunteers engage with their community member using meaningful activities and sensory stimulation, embracing any individual or cultural needs or interests. 

Sessions may include:
  • Connecting through gentle touch
  • Reminiscence activities
  • Playing favourite music
  • Reading favourite books/poems
  • Encouraging gentle movement
  • Games and other playful activities
Groups and events

We also run events for our community member to attend such as the monthly dementia-friendly music group – which we could not run without the involvement of our Dementia Wellbeing volunteers. 

Who can be a Dementia Wellbeing volunteer?
We would love to hear from you if you:
  • Have an interest in supporting people in your community who are living with dementia 
  • Have clear and sensitive communication skills 
  • Have patience, empathy and a non-judgemental approach 
  • Are reliable, dependable and enthusiastic. 
  • Are able to work independently 
  • Can commit to a couple of hours per week 
  • Can commit to a minimum of six months active volunteering with Dementia Wellbeing East London
Benefits include:

Volunteering can bring benefits for volunteers too, including the chance to: 

  • Make a difference to the lives of both the individual and their family 
  • Learn new skills / develop existing skills 
  • Gather rich experiences across cultures and ages 
  • Attend free training 
  • Access on-going support  
  • Be reimbursed for travel expenses 
  • Receive a reference (after minimum 6 months of active volunteering) 
Training

All Dementia Wellbeing volunteers need to attend a comprehensive training course to prepare them for their role. The next two-day Dementia Wellbeing Volunteer Training course will take place in the Education Centre at the Hospice on: 

  • Wednesday 15th & Monday 20th July 2026

Further dates for 2026:

  • Monday 2nd & Wednesday 4th November 2026
Support

We keep in regular contact with our volunteers, including through our monthly ‘Share and Reflect’ support meetings which are held at the Hospice. These meetings are an opportunity to meet up with other volunteers – as well as with the service coordinators – to share experiences and ideas and support each other. The meetings are really valuable, and are a part of the volunteer’s role. 

Find out more

If you would like to find out more about becoming a Dementia Wellbeing volunteer – please get in touch with the Dementia Wellbeing Team on 020 8525 3165 or by email: dementiawellbeingeastlondon@stjh.org.uk

How to become a Dementia Wellbeing Volunteer:

You should be at least 18 years of age, and will need to start by completing an online application form (link below). You will then need to: 

  • Provide two referees
  • Attend a two-day Dementia Wellbeing Volunteer Training course 
  • Attend the Hospice volunteers one-day Core Training course 
  • Attend an interview with a Dementia Wellbeing Coordinator 
  • Complete a DBS (criminal record) check 

If you have any questions regarding completing the application form, please contact the Volunteer Services Team on 020 8525 6032. 

What do people say about our training?

“This was two days very well spent. Great to listen to new ideas and meet new people.”
“Fantastic training and lovely that the participants felt safe and encouraged to share their own experience.”
“It was a very interactive and emotional workshop. I would really like to thank Rachael and Carmel for their efforts to make us all feel like family and for being patient with us.”
“The hand massage workshop is my favourite. The whole process is relaxing and helps me to make connection through touching. The assessment session is also very helpful, and provide personal-centred support.”
Apply for the role