Back
Do you want to make a real difference to the lives of people living within your community? The Dementia Wellbeing East London Service needs volunteers to offer practical, social and emotional support to people living in their homes in Newham, City & Hackney and Tower Hamlets affected by advanced dementia. Dementia Wellbeing East London service provides Care that is not a medical treatment, it is an internationally recognised programme developed to improve the quality of life for people with advanced dementia. It requires focus on the individual: their likes and dislikes and understanding them as person, supporting their individual needs. You will learn how to use both relaxing and stimulating sensory techniques and create personalised resources to use in supporting people with dementia living in their own homes.
These are some of the types of activities you might offer as part of Namaste Care: •Making a memory box full of familiar objects and favourite pictures •Reading a favourite book •Listening to favourite songs and pleasantly stimulating sounds •Using favourite and seasonal fragrances •Relaxing hand massage •Hair-brushing and face-washing •Sips of a favourite drink to help maintain hydration Who are we looking for? We are looking for volunteers who: •Consistently treat people as unique and promote individuality •Use clear and sensitive communication skills •Have patience and empathy •Are reliable, dependable and enthusiastic •Are caring, sympathetic, have a sensitive manner and a non-judgemental approach •Are respectful of confidential information •Are able to work without direct supervision Practical considerations All applicants need to: - Be over 18 years of age - Complete an interview and relevant criminal record checks - Complete 2 days of Namaste training and our hospice induction - Be willing to commit to a minimum of 2 hours per week for at least 1 year - Be willing to attend supervision sessions for 1-2 hours each month
Benefits include: •New knowledge and skills •Health related work experience •Comprehensive training •Regular supervision / mentoring •References provided after 6 months •Opportunity to make a real difference to a patient’s life •Travel expenses paid at Oyster card rates for Zones 1-5 By volunteering in this role you will develop skills in: •Person-centred dementia care •Namaste Care approach •Therapeutic touch •Communication and active listening •Befriending •Psychological support and emotional resilience •Managing difficult situations You don’t need any previous experience, just good communication and listening skills, empathy and flexibility. Full training will be provided.
