Singing for the Brain Support Volunteer - South Asian Families - Wolverhampton

Alzheimer's Society; Goldthorn Park; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A national charity supporting those affected by dementia is seeking a Singing for the Brain Support Volunteer. The volunteer will help create a supportive and fun environment through music therapy sessions, engaging participants and assisting facilitators. Ideal candidates should be compassionate and enthusiastic, ready to make a real difference. Training and guidance are provided. Minimum age required is 16.

Qualifications

• Interest in developing meaningful relationships.
• Ability to navigate online platforms (for virtual sessions).
• Friendly and warm demeanor.

Responsibilities

• Welcome and talk to people with dementia.
• Set up and tidy the room for sessions.
• Prepare and distribute refreshments.

Skills

Compassion

Enthusiasm

Ability to listen

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 sessions provide an enjoyable activity and the chance to socialise with others affected by dementia.

What you’ll do

As a Singing for the Brain Support Volunteer, you’ll welcome and talk to people with dementia and help them feel at ease. You will:

• Set up the room and tidy away at the end of the session
• Prepare and distribute refreshments
• Support the session facilitator by distributing materials such as songbooks
• Encourage participation during the activity and support the facilitator with activities, either online or in person

What we’re looking for

• 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 show compassion.
• If you are supporting our virtual sessions, you will need to navigate online platforms effectively and be confident using Zoom.
• Experience of dementia is not essential, nor is the ability to sing.

The Singing for the Brain Group for South Asian Families takes place monthly, normally the 3rd Wednesday of the month at the Bob Jones Community Centre, Bromley Street, Wolverhampton, WV2 3AS. Volunteers are in attendance between 10:30am and 1:00pm. The location is accessible.

Please come along to a taster session first if you want to get a feel for the role. You can request this on application.

If you or someone you know would like to apply but are not confident using online systems, we will be happy to facilitate an offline application. Please email [e-mail] for more information. Our group is very popular and we are looking for people to help us raise awareness and support people affected by dementia from a South Asian culture.

Bi-lingual applicants are encouraged, as we have a wide variety of service users, many from South Asian families. It is not a requirement that you are South Asian, but experience of working or supporting with South Asian cultures is preferred. You must be friendly, warm, and willing to engage with service users, singing, dancing and having fun. You do not have to be able to sing, but participants will expect you to dance. We strive to keep a safe and approachable space, so you must be willing to help keep the space safe for all.

If you find completing online applications difficult, please don’t let this stop you from applying. Please call or email us and we can support you with the application process. You can contact the Volunteering Recruitment Team by emailing [e-mail] or call 0300 222 5706.

Minimum age 16

About Alzheimer’s Society

Please note that all volunteering opportunities are based in the UK and you must be living in the UK to volunteer with us. We are unable to sponsor visa applications but appreciate your interest in supporting us.

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 the future.

Our Values

• Determined to make a difference: We're passionate, focused and we make a lasting impact for people affected by dementia.
• Trusted expert: We're listening, learning and we use experience and evidence.
• Better together: We're open, we combine our strengths and we achieve more together.
• Compassionate: We're kind, honest and we don't shy away from challenges.

Equal opportunities

Alzheimer’s Society is committed to equal opportunities and to building a diverse organisation that represents the communities we serve and ensuring inclusion in everything we do. We aim to remove barriers in recruitment and will consider reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities or long-term conditions.