Dementia Support Line
When Dementia Jersey was formed we relied on just a single volunteer to support the few staff the organisation employed. We are proud to have 80+ volunteers supporting us now and we simply couldn’t run without the goodwill and dedication of this fantastic group of local people.
What do volunteers do?
Most of our volunteers can be found making our weekly activities run smoothly, whether that’s Arts Exploration, Splashchat, Musical Memories or Pétanque. Our volunteers help in a variety of ways from sitting chatting to clients, calling Bingo! making the tea and coffee or just taking the register – we couldn’t do what we do without them.
We also have volunteers who help on an adhoc basis. From helping at a stall at a festival on a weekend to spending an hour watering our allotment plot, we are grateful to anyone who is willing to volunteer any amount of time, once a week, once a month or once a year.
Who can volunteer?
Anyone can offer their time to help Dementia Jersey. If you have a couple of hours a week to offer on a regular basis or even occasionally, we’d love to hear from you. Maybe you have a specific skill, interest or hobby that you could bring to us, maybe you just want to help with fundraising or are great at making the tea or cakes. Whoever you are and whatever you can give we will try and match what you can bring to what we need.
You will be asked to complete an application form and we may need to do some reference and DBS checks. Once they are done you will be asked to attend induction training that includes safeguarding, safe handling and health & safety training.
Why volunteer?
People volunteer for a host of reasons, some have had personal experience of living with dementia in some way, others just have time they want to give. Whatever the reason Dementia Jersey couldn’t support the people we do without the help volunteers give. Here are some thoughts from a few of our volunteers:
Susan helps at the Walk ’n’ Talk activity on a Wednesday afternoon and chose to volunteer at Dementia Jersey as her mum had Alzheimer’s in her late 80’s. After retiring, like so many other people, Susan wanted to use the extra time she gained to give something back and Dementia Jersey seemed the perfect charity to support. Susan really enjoys the interaction with those living with dementia, and their carers. “I love listening to their stories and never cease to find it special when I catch a glint in someone’s eyes as they are talking about a particular time or memory.”
Jean first found Dementia Jersey when her late husband attended our Saturday Club and she accessed our carers’ support groups. Jean has helped at fundraisers and at our roadshows but more recently can be found making the tea at Musical Memories where she loves watching the happiness singing and making music can bring.
Along with another volunteer, Jane, Jackie runs Fun & Games (East) on a Thursday afternoon. Both of Jackie’s parents had dementia and after hearing a talk about what Dementia Jersey does for people living with dementia and the support they offer their family and carers she wanted to give something back. 6 years later she says she has really come to appreciate the great work the team does, quite often behind the scenes, and enjoys being part of that.
Jackie’s message is a simple one – “Absolutely do it! It’s good to give something back to our community when we can.”
Interested in volunteering? Please contact our Activities & Volunteer Co-ordinator, Susie Kelly.
Email: susie@dementia.je Tel: 01534 723 519.