If you’re passionate about supporting carers of people living with dementia, then we have just the volunteer role for you!
Our Carers’ Information and Support Programmes (commonly referred to as CrISP) are a series of workshops for people caring for a family member or friend with dementia. CrISP aims to improve the knowledge, skills and understanding of people caring for a person with dementia, by providing effective support and up-to-date and relevant information.
A friendly face at the group, you’ll help carers feel at ease by chatting and listening to them. You’ll encourage carers to share their experiences and provide information that will help them care for a person with dementia. You can also get involved by supporting at events to spread the word about the CrISP programme.
This is a virtual volunteering role supporting the delivery of CriSP across Worcestershire. We are looking for someone to support one programme per quarter, consisting of four weekly online sessions lasting approximately two hours each, designed to provide information, guidance and peer support to carers, families and friends of people living with dementia.
Working alongside the facilitator delivering the programme, the CriSP Support Volunteer will help ensure sessions run smoothly by operating presentation slides, monitoring the chat function, relaying participant questions, and supporting the overall delivery of the sessions.
As dementia and caring can be emotive topics, volunteers will provide a supportive and reassuring presence for participants who may become distressed or require additional support during a session. Volunteers will also need to be able to recognise when further support may be needed and appropriately escalate concerns or signpost participants to relevant services and support.
This role would suit someone with good communication and listening skills, confidence using virtual meeting platforms, and a passion for supporting carers and families affected by dementia. Full training, guidance and ongoing support will be provided.
Key responsibilities include:
- Supporting the Facilitator before, during and after virtual sessions.
- Assisting with the smooth running of virtual sessions, including managing slides, monitoring the chat, and helping participants access the session.
- Supporting participants by gathering and relaying questions to the facilitator.
- Providing reassurance and emotional support to carers and families.
- Recognising when additional support may be required and escalating concerns appropriately.
- Signposting participants to relevant services, information, and support available through the Alzheimer's Society and partner organisations.
- Supporting the collection of participant feedback to help evaluate the programme and inform future improvements.
- Helping to create a welcoming, supportive and inclusive environment where carers and families feel listened to and empowered.
- This is a home-based volunteering opportunity, and volunteers will need access to a computer, internet connection and a suitable private space to support participants during sessions.
Interested? To apply for this role please click on the 'Apply' button at the bottom of the page.
You’ll be great for the role if:
- You have knowledge of dementia and its impact on people, or are willing to learn
- You have good listening and communication skills
- You’re able to be calm, patient and caring
- You are over the age of 16
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 [email protected] or call on 0300 222 5706
