Alzheimer’s Society is on the lookout for Westbury residents ready to take up a fun, friendly, super-flexible volunteering opportunity, with their Side by Side service.
Volunteers will be paired with someone with dementia, so they can help them keep on doing the things they love – and try new things too.
The UK’s leading dementia charity aims to support people living with dementia to continue to play an active part in their community and do more with Side by Side.
Alzheimer’s Society research shows people with dementia are more at risk of loneliness – with a third of people reporting to have lost friends since their diagnosis. Two-thirds of people with dementia remain in their communities, but many feel trapped in their own homes – with almost one in 10 only leaving the house once a month.
Side by Side, supported by the players of People’s Postcode Lottery, aims to change that. By using a new approach to volunteering by pairing people through what they love to do, Side by Side volunteers get to make a difference; not only to the lives of people in their area living with dementia, but to their own life too.
Diane Jenkins, Alzheimer’s Society’s Side by Side co-ordinator for Wiltshire said, “Loneliness is a real problem for people with dementia, yet we know that one of the most important things for those affected is to remain part of their community and continue to do the things they love – from badminton to ballroom dancing, we are encouraging people to do more with Side by Side.
“With someone developing dementia every three minutes, there are nearly 1,000 people waiting for volunteers right now. It’s vital that we all unite against dementia and do what we can to make a difference.”
Existing Side by Side volunteers have reported that they have gained and shared skills, developed new friendships and even enhanced their job prospects through their involvement in Side by Side. From watching a movie, to catching a fish, do something you love or try something new. Or if it suits you better, you can volunteer on the Side by Side phone line.
Do more. Explore more. Enjoy more. Sign up for Side by Side. Visit alzheimers.org.uk/side bysidevolunteer or call Clare Lucas, Alzheimer’s Society’s volunteering officer, on 01249 443469 to find out how.
