Volunteer your skills at nursing homes!
Fenix Funeral Ltd
Play an instrument, run bingo, guide gentle moves? How could you support a local nursing home?
Fenix Funeral is running free activity sessions for residents in London care homes, and we’re looking for kind, reliable volunteers to help. What you will do: You’ll support gentle group activities such as music, poetry, painting, crafts and games, chat with residents and help set up. Chat with residents, encourage them to join in and help those who need a little extra support. Sessions last 1–2 hours, around once a month per home, on weekdays. No experience needed, just patience and a friendly manner; creative skills are a bonus. You can use your creative skills to make a difference!
Art & Design,Befriending, Buddying & Mentoring,Caring,Catering,Community Work,Counselling,Entertainment,Gardening,Practical Work & DIY,Events & Stewarding,Music,Sport & Coaching,Support Work,Volunteer Management
Art & Craft, Carpentry, Counselling, Creative & Design, Gardening, Photography
Essential skills and qualities Patience and kindness: residents may move, speak or respond slowly, and some days will be harder than others. Good listening and communication: speaking clearly and calmly, and making time for conversation. Empathy and respect: treating residents with dignity, whatever their abilities, background or faith. Reliability: turning up on time and keeping to agreed sessions, since residents and staff will plan around them. Encouraging others: gently helping residents join in without pressure, and adapting when someone isn’t comfortable. Flexibility: adjusting an activity on the spot if it isn’t working or residents’ needs change. Teamwork: working alongside the activities co-ordinator and care staff, and following their guidance. Following safeguarding rules: respecting each home’s policies, confidentiality and boundaries. Desirable but not essential Creative skills: singing, playing an instrument, reading poetry aloud, painting, drawing or crafts. Running group activities: leading a quiz, game or sing-along, or keeping a small group engaged. Experience with older people: for example, caring for a relative or volunteering with older people or people with dementia. Dementia awareness: understanding how dementia can affect memory, mood and communication. Cultural awareness: working with different cultures and backgrounds Languages: speaking other languages common in the local community can help residents feel at home.
Personal benefits Making a real difference: bringing joy, company and stimulation to residents who may feel isolated or lonely. A sense of purpose: a regular, meaningful commitment that fits around other parts of life. Friendships and connection: getting to know residents, staff and other volunteers. Confidence: growing more comfortable speaking to groups, leading activities and meeting new people. Skills and experience Communication skills: especially with older people and people living with dementia or frailty. Leading activities: planning and running group sessions such as music, poetry, art and games. Dementia awareness: practical understanding of how to support people with memory and communication difficulties. Safeguarding knowledge: learning how care homes protect residents and handle consent. Teamwork: working alongside care staff and activity co-ordinators. Cultural awareness: learning about different faiths and traditions. Career benefits Relevant experience for your CV: valuable for careers in care, nursing, social work, occupational therapy, teaching, the arts or community work. A reference: for volunteers who commit to regular sessions. A DBS check: arranged for you, which is useful for other volunteering or paid roles.
Volunteers can decide when they want to participate and how often they want to run the activities -it could be a one off 1 hour session or a more regular set up depending on their availability and if they enjoy the opportunity
SW1A 2DD
We have a number of nursing homes we are working with, some are in North London, close to Barnet and Edgware station and others are in South London closer to West Norwood and Hither Green. You will be paired up to a home closest to you
Stations would be either Barnet station, Edgware station - North London or West Norwood station and Hither Green stations in South London
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