Dementia Support Volunteer

Responsible to: Dementia Project Worker

Main purpose of the role:

  • Working to deliver Sydenham Garden organisational aims; by participating inpractical sessions.
  • Assisting with the physical maintenance and general organisation of Sydenham Garden, and operating as a member of the volunteer team
  • Assisting with the physical maintenance and general organisation of Sydenham Garden, and operating as a member of the volunteer team
  • Working with and supporting our clients (co-workers) who are people experiencing dementia, with support from staff and volunteers
  • This role is primarily to assist session leaders and to enable co-workers to complete tasks and activities assigned to them in order to reach their therapeutic goals. The sessions involve activities that include elements of gardening, art and craft, cooking together, and reminiscence.
  • Volunteers help to set up sessions and participate in giving feedback when sessions end (usually last about 3 hours)
  • Volunteers play an important role in supporting co-workers to reflect on previous goals and set new goals on a quarterly basis
  • To be part of the team, working with staff to support new co-workers in their first sessions, orientating them to the project, helping them meet other people and supporting them on their way around the site.
  • The role requires volunteers to be able to talk directly to co-workers about their health and progress
  • Undertaking client programmes in locations and with other groups as required away from the base site
  • Welcoming visitors and those seeking information to the site, with the opportunity to assist with visitors’ days, special events and other occasions on and off site.
  • You will be invited to attend group supervision sessions and joint co-worker and volunteer meetings.

Reasonable expectations:

Client programmes

With guidance from the session leader will deliver individually-tailored programmes for people with mental and physical health problems, founded on horticulture and related activities. This includes:

  • Arrive before sessions start to discuss the activities, assist with setting up and tidying up after activity sessions.
  • Implementing activities to meet individual needsidentified in goal setting sessions.
  • Feeding back significant information to staff during and after sessions
  • Key working:

-Advocacy role within the project

-Listening to and supporting clients

-Supporting client agreementsby assisting co-workers to complete timesheets and recognise progress with goals.

-Completing necessary paperwork to agreed Sydenham Gardenprocedures

  • Being aware of information from other sources relating to area of work.
  • Attend and support accredited training courses.

Activities

  • Working with clients on horticultural, gardening, conservation and related types of activity.
  • Working with clients on art and craft based activities

Infrastructure and project management

  • To work in co-operation with other staff, trustees, volunteers and co-workers to further the aims of Sydenham Garden.
To work with the staff team to ensure that all services and activities are responsive to the users’ needs and are provided in ways that meet legal, statutory and best practice requirements.
Support the induction of new volunteers, co-workers and visitors to the project.
  • To contribute to the general running and organisation of the garden project, this to include:

-Supporting session leaders in the management of co-workers and new volunteers

-Maintenance of the project buildings and gardens so that they remain clean, tidy, attractive, and safe.

-Reviewing and maintaining tools and other equipment appropriate to meet the needs of the project.

-Maintaining signage, accessibility and general design in the best interests of users, visitors, and staff.

-Maintain accurate records and information.

  • To suggest personal training in order to further develop skills and understanding within the role.
  • Attending volunteer / co-worker meeting once a month

Outreach and promotion

  • Undertaking client programmes in locations and with other groups as required away from the base site.
  • Welcoming visitors and those seeking information to the site
  • Assisting with visitors’ days, special events and other occasions on and off site.

Person Specification – Dementia Support Volunteer

Skills and Abilities:

  • Ability to communicate with older people, enjoy conversations and able to deal with repetitious conversations
  • Non judgmental attitude and happy to support people from all backgrounds
  • Ability to work sensitively and effectively with vulnerable people
  • Patience, sensitiveness and caring with ability to empathize with the experiences of people with dementia
  • Ability to work on own initiative as well as part of a team
  • Willingness to listen and learn from your experiences
  • Enthusiasm and the ability to motivate others
  • Ability to work effectively within a range of policies and procedures
  • Ability to follow an agreed plan
  • Ability to organize and lead small group activities with diverse groups
  • Ability to work effectively with different stakeholders such as referred clients, staff, trustees, volunteers and visitors to the project

Knowledge and Understanding:

  • Understanding of risk management and health and safety issues when working with vulnerable people
  • Demonstrated commitment to equal opportunities
  • Knowledge/experience of dementia or the ability to learn about dementia and its impact on people is desirable

Summary – Dementia Support Volunteer: Practical Activities

Condition of appointment:Subject to receipt of satisfactory references and satisfactory DBS disclosure.

Period of Appointment: Ongoing basis determined by personal choice and needs of the organisation.

Trial period: 4 weeks

Availability:One session a week minimum (morning, 09.30 -1.00 pm or afternoon, 1.30 – 5.00pm), Thursday - Friday

Confidentiality:Information of a confidential nature must be kept strictly confidential and should never be disclosed either inside or outside work. It should be noted that breach of confidentiality is a serious offence which may lead to dismissal.

No Smoking Policy:Please note that Sydenham Garden has a no smoking policy.

Volunteer Gains

Training and Education:Sydenham Garden recognises the importance of training in achieving its objectives. We are committed to providing training to volunteers so that they can perform their roles effectively and offering them opportunities for further development. This role will be subject to an Enhanced CRB check, if the volunteer is directly involved in work with vulnerable adults without staff supervision

Skills development:

  • Experience of working in a community garden and working with people in a therapeutic way using gardening and art
  • Experience of working in a community organisation
  • A greater understanding of dementia and its impact on the individual
  • Experience of working with and meeting new people
  • Leadership and motivation skills