Alzheimer's Society

Side by Side Volunteer – Role Description

Would you like to help a person with dementia live a fuller and happier life? If the answer is Yes then this is a role within the Society that you may wish to be involved in. This is an outline of what your role with the Society may involve
Where, when and how often?

Where - You could support a person with dementia to do the following - go to their local park, the cinema, pick up an old hobby, visit local museums, try a new leisure activity or just stay at home and chat. There is also an option telephone support, where you can chat over the phone to the person with dementia if they require this.
When – this could be throughout the day, at a weekend or on an evening.
How often - a level of commitment is expected, e.g. hours per week / month, from you to support a person with dementia to continue to stay active / involved in society.

A minimum of 6 months commitment once relevant checks have taken place.
How does the role make a difference?
Side by Side volunteers will provide agreed support to people with dementia this could be either by visiting them in their home, enabling them to stay active, taking part in appropriate social and recreational activities in their community or simply just having a telephone conversation, whichever they require. Your involvement aims to help people to feel less isolated enabling the person to focus on their strengths to remain active and confident.
What will I be doing?
• Enabling a person with dementia to maintain active involvement in their own home or community
• Providing one to one support to enable people with dementia to continue with their hobbies and interests as agreed during the assessment process carried out by the Side by Side manager
• Creating / facilitating opportunities for participation in leisure and social activities
• Enabling a person with dementia to engage with activities in a safe and enjoyable environment
• Maintaining accurate written updates
• Liaising with and reporting to the Side by Side manager on a regular basis, including changes or concerns regarding the service user, as well as discussing personal learning and development needs
• Keeping up to date with the Alzheimer’s Society’s policies and procedures.
• To telephone people with dementia, if they require, at an agreed time on a regular basis

This role does not provide personal care.

Is this role for me?

The role may be suitable if you:
• Want to help people with dementia stay active
• Are passionate about supporting people with dementia to improve their quality of life
• Know about, or are willing to learn about dementia and its impact on people
• Have good verbal communication and listening skills, especially face to face
• Are happy to volunteer remotely, yet understand you are part of a team
• Recognise the importance of confidentiality, and show this in practice
• Are prepared to undergo an induction into the role and atte