Volunteer with Us

There are many varied volunteer opportunities at Dementia-friendly Alton:

Dementia Session Support

With dementia support sessions being delivered up to six days a week, volunteers can choose to be a regular part of the team for set day or session each week or get involved less frequently by supporting one off special events / outings.  Alongside session support there are a range of administrative roles that volunteers can help with or even take a lead on.    

Friends of Alton Assembly Rooms (FAARS)

There are also opportunities for individuals to volunteer to help us look after the venue - helping to create a wonderful space for our Dementia Meeting Centre as well as a high quality venue for enjoyment of the local community. Friends of Alton Assembly Rooms (FAARS) volunteers can join the Facilities Team and get involved in all aspects of site maintenance and caretaking, including volunteering to help maintain the opening hours at evenings and weekends for venue bookings, and generally being great ambassadors for this iconic building in the heart of Alton.   

Click on the tabs related to each volunteer role to find out more before registering your interest below

Whichever role is chosen - full training and support is provided as soon as you join our friendly team.

DBS - A current DBS may be required for some roles at the charity. If DBS is required Dementia-friendly Alton will process this. Please note, however, that not all volunteer roles require a DBS. 

Process for joining us a a volunteer:

• Complete the Expression of Interest below which will be sent to the Volunteer Coordinator 
• Volunteer Coordinator will contact you to set up an informal meeting and explore options related to volunteering
• Volunteer will 'try out' a session or two of their choice
• Volunteer Coordinator will process the DBS via Community First if this is required (Not all roles at DFA / AAR require a DBS)
• Volunteer agrees nature of role and / or session to be covered by role and meets / joins appropriate day(s) of the week on the rota 
• Date for Induction training is booked and attended
• Volunteer Handbook to be given at the end of training 
• Opportunities for Further Training will be explored and booked - this will include but is not limited to: Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work; Level 3 Safeguarding; Level 2 Mental Health First Aid; British Gymnastics Foundation Love to Move training; Dementia Awareness and Communication; other courses as agreed
• Training undertaken by volunteers will be recorded on the Lamplight Database system for the Charity 
• Volunteer Coordinator will meet with all volunteers after 3 months, 6 months and then yearly (as a minimum) to ensure that all is going well and agree any changes necessary to volunteer role. 

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Training Opportunities for Volunteers with Dementia-friendly Alton and Alton Assembly Rooms 

All volunteers are supported to attend an induction to their role within the first 12 weeks of starting, which includes:

• Introduction to the Charity / Communication Channels
• GDPR and manitaining confidentiality 
• Infection control / sickness etc 
• Fire Safety Awareness
• Safegaurding Awareness
• Health and Safety / Safe ways of working

Opportunities to attend induction training are held monthly at the Assembly Rooms from 7-9 pm - should a new volunteer find it difficult to attend these - please discuss with Volunteer Coordinator or one of the Trustees and an alternative option will be sought. 

Dates for Forthcoming Induction Training:

• Monday 9th September 
• Tuesday 1st October
• Wednesday 20th November
• Thursday 5th December 

Other training opportunities - in addition to induction training, there are opportunities for more extensive training if this is of interest to the volunteer - which includes: Emergency First Aid at Work, Level 3 Safeguarding, Mental Health First Aid, Fire Safety Awareness / Fire Marshall training