Singing for the Brain Support Volunteer - Mitcheldean

Alzheimer's Society; England; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

A charity dedicated to dementia care is seeking a Singing for the Brain Support Volunteer in England. The role involves engaging with participants in structured singing sessions designed for individuals with dementia. Volunteers will assist with setting up sessions, managing refreshments, and encouraging participation. A minimum age of 16 is required, and previous experience with dementia or singing is not necessary. This rewarding position offers the chance to make a meaningful difference in people's lives.

Qualifications

• Minimum age of 16 required.
• Willingness to support and interact with individuals with dementia.
• No prior experience in dementia care or singing is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Welcome and engage with participants in singing sessions.
• Help set up the room and manage refreshments.
• Encourage participation in singing activities and support session facilitator.

Skills

Empathy and compassion

Ability to navigate online platforms

Enthusiasm

Job description

About The Role

Our Singing for the Brain sessions offer people affected by dementia a chance to enjoy a fun activity within a supportive environment, and we need you to help make this happen!

Singing for the Brain is a structured group session, designed around the principles of music therapy and singing, for people with dementia, who may attend alone or with a carer. These uplifting sessions offer the people attending an enjoyable activity, as well as the chance to socialise with other people affected by dementia.

As a Singing for the Brain Support Volunteer, you’ll be welcoming and talking to people with dementia, helping them to feel at ease. You will help set up the room and tidy away at the end of the session and help prepare and distribute refreshments as well as supporting the session facilitator by distributing materials such as songbooks. Once the singing session starts, you’ll provide encouragement to participate in the activity, and support the session facilitator with the activities, either online or in person.

You’ll be great for the role if :

• You have an interest in developing meaningful relationships and making a real difference.
• You want to enable people with dementia to find their voice through music in an incredibly rewarding role.
• You are fun and enthusiastic.
• You have the ability to listen and display compassion.
• If you are supporting our virtual sessions, you will need to be able to navigate effectively online and be able to use Zoom with confidence.
• Experience of dementia is not essential, nor is the ability to sing!

The volunteer role will support a new Singing for the Brain service at Mitcheldean Community Centre The Playing Fields, Mitcheldean GL17 0BQ.

The group will meet once a month on the second Tuesday of the month from 2.30-4pm. Volunteers will need to be available half an hour before and after the group session.

Minimum age 16

About You

About Alzheimer's Society

Alzheimer’s Society is here for everyone affected by dementia.

By 2025, an estimated 1 million people will be living with the condition in the UK, and many millions more carers, partners, families and friends will be affected.

Dementia is a complex condition, and there’s no one-size fits all solution but until we find a cure, our aim is to transform lives today.

We do this by :

• Providing flexible support services so that people with dementia, their carers and loved ones, can access expert advice and guidance, support through their most challenging days, and a safe space to turn when they need it.
• Being a force for change - using research and influencing to push for breakthroughs that will change the lives of people affected by dementia now and in future.

Our Values

Determined to make a difference: We\'re passionate, we\'re focused and we\'ll make a lasting impact for people affected by dementia.

Trusted expert: We\'re listening, we\'re learning and we\'re using experience and evidence.

Better together: We\'re open, we combine our strengths and we achieve more together.

Compassionate: We\'re kind, we\'re honest and we don\'t shy away from challenges.

Equal opportunities

Alzheimer’s Society is committed to equal opportunities.

Alzheimer’s Society embraces diversity, inclusion and accessibility for all of our people. We are committed to building a diverse organisation that represents the communities we serve and ensuring inclusion in everything we do.

This means ensuring our recruitment processes are barrier-free and as inclusive as possible to everyone. We will look at making reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability or long-term condition.