Dementia Daybreak (Storrington) Volunteer

Who Are We?

AUKWSBH (Age UK West Sussex, Brighton and Hove) is an independent local charity working to support older people, their families, and carers. For over 65 years we have been at the forefront of supporting local older people through our many essential services, as well as our clubs and activities which help to tackle loneliness and isolation.

The Role:

To support the Club Co-ordinator to provide a regular programme of activities for the club members attending the dementia club and to provide a welcoming environment for members. As a volunteer we recognise that you may have a particular skill or hobby that you may be willing to share with our members to enhance our activity programme. As well as supporting members to access the existing activities programme we need volunteers who have the following skills.

• Able to lead singing.
• Able to lead a craft.
• Able to lead a music session.
• Able to talk to members both one to one and in groups.
• Able to engage and encourage members to join in with activities.

You may be asked to help the Co-ordinator:

• Set up and pack away after activities.
• Engage with members – chatting to them, playing games with them.
• Lead some activities.
• Accompany members on club trips out.
• Lay the tables for lunch.
• Serve lunches.

All volunteers are expected to meet with the Co-ordinator regularly for support and to give you an opportunity to discuss any concerns as well as feed thoughts and comments back to the Co-ordinator.

We are currently looking for volunteers to help at our Storrington club, which runs on Fridays.

What skills do I need?

No formal experience is needed, as all necessary training will be given, but ideally you will:

Be enthusiastic about helping a local charity to support local older people. Be trustworthy and reliable. Have excellent communication and team working skills. Have the desire to find out more about the work of Age UK Horsham District. Have flexibility and the willingness to volunteer. Keep up-to-date with the work of Age UK Horsham District to represent the charity in a professional manner

As it takes an amount of time and resource to welcome new volunteers on board, we would appreciate it if you pledged to support us initially for a minimum of 3 months.

What we offer:

You will be given an induction and any necessary training for this role. Members of the Team will help and support you when volunteering. You will be able to develop new and existing skills if you wish to do so. Volunteering is fun and rewarding and a great way of meeting new people. You will be working as part of a dedicated and motivated team of volunteers. You will have the opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of local older people. Volunteers can claim all reasonable and previously agreed expenses (such as for travel or reimbursement for items purchased).