Published on: Wednesday 05 Feb 2025 at 17:17
St Clare Hospice is urgently recruiting more volunteers to meet the demand for its Dementia Support Service, a free personalised programme that supports the wellbeing or people living with advanced dementia in their own homes.
The service is delivered by specially trained volunteers who engage people with the condition in meaningful, sensory activities designed to enhance their quality of life. But due to an increase in referrals, the charity needs extra volunteers so it can reach more people, and their relatives and carers.
As a Dementia Support volunteer for St Clare Hospice, you would led therapeutic activities designed to spark a person’s senses through sound, touch, smell, taste and sight during weekly visits to their home, with their relative or carer present.
These could include giving a gentle hand massage, listening to their favourite music, or reading their favourite book, or using materials and other resources to encourage them to reminisce about their life. All of which help a person to remain connected to others by focusing on their emotional as well as physical needs.
No previous experience is necessary as full training and ongoing support is provided by the St Clare team.
Fiona Venus, St Clare’s Compassionate Communities programme manager, said: “Every day, families in our community are navigating the challenges of living with dementia, often with little or no support. No one should have to face this alone, which is why need extra volunteers to meet the rising number of referrals that we are receiving for our much-needed Dementia Support Service.
“Having access to personalised support can make a huge difference to the physical and emotional wellbeing of someone who has dementia in many ways, not only enhancing their quality of life, but helping them to feel safe and valued. Their caregivers also feel less isolated and focussed on what the person can still do and how they feel, rather than on what they may have lost.
“As a St Clare Dementia Support Volunteer, you really could help have a transformative impact on their lives, helping to bring dignity, comfort and connection, as well as helping them to create moments of meaning.”
Diane Smith, 48, began volunteering with St Clare Hospice following her experiences of caring for her own mum, who has dementia. She currently supports one woman who is in the later stages of the disease as well as a man who is earlier on in his dementia diagnosis.
Diane said: “It’s a pleasure to be able to create an environment where I can share moments of joy and connection with someone. Especially as they will be struggling with lost abilities affecting their everyday life, and often their relationships. It’s nice to be able to switch the focus to their retained abilities, paying attention to all their senses and prioritising what really matters, despite a diagnosis of dementia.”
She continued: “It’s amazing to see someone’s personality begin to unfold and to learn their preferences for certain sounds, tastes and touches. Finding what makes someone laugh, or have an emotional tear. It’s an honour to share that moment with them.
“I feel lucky to do this role. I love supporting someone to be themselves and to feel enjoyment. I always feel more whole, more refreshed and calmer afterwards, and hopefully they are left feeling the same way.”
For full details, or to apply to become a St Clare Dementia Support Volunteer, click here. Alternatively, you can call St Clare’s volunteering team on 01279 773704 or email them at volunteer@stclarehospice.org.uk for more information.