Volunteering with Dementia-friendly Alton

'Volunteering with Dementia-friendly Alton'

If you enjoy spending time with others whilst engaging in fun activities such as crafts, quizzes, games, music, singing, dancing and gardening - or just having a natter, then we need you to volunteer with Dementia-friendly Alton to help us to continue to increase the number of support sessions available. No experience or specific skills are required, other than 'patience', a 'smile' and a willingness to give some time to commit to any one or more of the regular dementia-friendly events in Alton and the surrounding area.

What sessions and activities can volunteers help with?

- Tea Dances are currently held on one Tuesday a month at the British Legion, but we would love to put this on more often. Help to support those attending with dancing or movement whilst handing out afternoon tea and chatting.

- Every Wednesday at the Community Centre you can help with the Memory Cafe, Courtyard Gardening, Friendship Lunch, Love to Move or the Wishing Well Choir - activities run all through the day from 1030 - 1630. With tea, coffee and cakes being served throughout the day there’s also plenty of washing up to do!

- Legions Legends is held on the second Thursday of each month at the British Legion - help by participating in the quiz, activity, afternoon tea and conversation with those attending.

- Fridays at Orchard House - twice a month we currently have a sing-along in the morning and are planning to introduce Love to Move on the other Fridays from Jan 2022 - volunteers can help by participating in and encouraging the singing and exercise, as well as helping with tea and biscuits.

- Sunday afternoons – Let’s Get Growing - help our members with relaxing gardening activity with tea, cake and chat in the Sensory Garden at the Public Garden.

- Support with other activities that our vital to service, including fund raising and promotional events, practical administrative support with poster designs, publications and a host of other activities. Whatever you'd like to do - we would love to hear from you.

As we enter 2022, we would like to increase the number and geographical area of our sessions to keep up with the increasing demand. However, we can only do this if we have more lovely people to join our amazing team.

How can you get involved? Do one of more of the actions below:

1) Check out the information re events on our Facebook page or website to find out more about what offer.

2) Feel free to come along to any of the events that we hold to meet with current volunteers and see how the sessions currently run.

3) Download a Volunteer Registration form here then complete and bring along to a meeting or return to Dementia-friendly Alton (or post to Alton Community Centre or email to dementia_friends@btinternet.com ). There are also further details about the role on our website here

4) Come and meet us by visiting our stand at the Alton Yuletide Festival on Saturday 4th Dec from 10am - 2 pm in the Market Square and register your interest.

5) Attend our Open Event for Volunteers on Wednesday 5th January 2022 anytime during our 1130 - 1330 session at Alton Community Centre.

As part of the Volunteering Team full induction and support is available to help you gain the most from your experience.

We look forward to hearing from you!