Dementia Wellbeing East London volunteer
This is a really rewarding role supporting people living with advanced dementia in their own homes.
The service
Dementia Wellbeing East London provides person-centred social and emotional support to people living with advanced dementia in the boroughs of Hackney, City of London, Tower Hamlets and Newham.
Dementia wellbeing volunteers
Our trained and supervised volunteers visit people to provide ten dementia wellbeing sessions – in their own home or in their care home or other care setting.
Volunteers offer meaningful activities and sensory stimulation, embracing any individual or cultural needs or interests.
Dementia wellbeing sessions may include:
- Connecting through gentle touch
- Reminiscence activities
- Playing favourite music
- Reading favourite books/poems
- Encouraging gentle movement
- Games and other playful activities
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
- Can commit to a couple of hours per week
- Can commit to a minimum of six months active volunteering with Dementia Wellbeing East London
- Have clear and sensitive communication skills
- Are able to work independently
- Have patience, empathy and a non-judgemental approach
- Are reliable, dependable and enthusiastic.
Benefits include:
- The opportunity to make a difference to the lives of both the individual and their family
- The opportunity to learn new skills / develop existing skills
- Free training
- On-going support
- Reimbursement of travel expenses
- Provision of 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 Dementia Wellbeing Volunteer Training course will take place in the Education Centre at the Hospice on: Wednesday 12th and Thursday 13th June 2024.
If you are interested in attending this training – or would like to find out more – please get in touch with the Dementia Wellbeing team on 020 8525 3165 or by email: dementiawellbeingeastlondon@stjh.org.uk
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.
How to volunteer
To become a Dementia Wellbeing volunteer you should be at least 18 years of age, and will need to:
- complete an online application form
- provide two referees
- attend a Dementia Wellbeing Volunteer training course
- attend the Hospice volunteers Core Training day
- attend an interview with a Dementia Wellbeing Coordinator
- complete a DBS (criminal record) check
To talk to somebody about this role, contact the Dementia Wellbeing Team on 020 8525 3165.
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.”