Art group volunteer Expand You don't need to be enormously talented at art to have an enjoyable morning helping out at one of our art groups. Volunteers are needed to help set up the room, serve refreshments and support group members and carers while creating their work under the guidance of a professional artist. Our art groups meet at: Lyneham Lyneham Village Hall, Monday afternoons Pewsey Bouverie Hall, Pewsey Wednesday mornings Warminster Lakeside Community Centre, Weymouth Street, first and third Wednesday of the month
Bill Harper Expand Bill Harper has an eclectic background including experience as a social worker in America, and currently works as the American equivalent of a chartered surveyor. Having spent a great deal of the Covid pandemic caring for his father while he lived with dementia for the final years of his life, Bill has a large amount of experience working one-on-one with people experiencing dementia. This includes currently volunteering at the Scots Lane Club in Salisbury, where he's known as an excellent bingo caller who works tirelessly on perfecting his Dick Van Dyke inspired British accent.
Covid-19 guidance and risk assessment for community services Expand The following risk assessment applies to Alzheimer's Support's community activity groups in Wiltshire. It is published here for the benefit of group members and their families as we prepare to reopen our groups safely. Professionals are welcome to download and use our findings as they plan for reopening their own activity groups. Please note that although other settings are welcome to use this information, the guidance and risk assessments are specific to Alzheimer's Support's activities and date only and will be subject to review over time. Community Groups Covid-19 specific risk assessment
Covid-19 guidance and risk assessment for day care Expand These guidance protocols and risk assessment documents relate to Alzheimer's Support's day clubs in Wiltshire. They are published here for the benefit of members, carers and their families as we prepare to reopen the clubs, and are regularly updated. Professionals are welcome to download and use our findings as they plan for reopening their own day centres. Please note that although other settings are welcome to use this information, the guidance and risk assessments are specific to this setting and date only and will be subject to review over time. Guidance for reopening day care Old Silk Works Covid-19-specific risk assessment Sidmouth Street Club Covid-19-specific risk assessment Mill Street Club Covid-19-specific risk assessment Reopening day care - news story
Dav club volunteer Expand This is an enormously rewarding role working alongside experienced staff in our award-winning day clubs in Trowbridge, Devizes and Warminster. Our clubs are relaxed and informal environments and volunteers of all ages are a key and valued part of the team. In the club you will be interacting with members, chatting, joining in or leading small group activities, and helping to serve refreshments. Any special talents or skills that can enrich the day will be welcomed! Day club volunteers are most useful when they can join us for a full day, on the same day of each week if possible. What they say Dear everyone at Mill St, I’ve had a wonderful time volunteering, and will miss you all very much. I feel so lucky to be part of the fantastic work you do. I feel so privileged to have been able to spend part of my first year at university working with everyone at Alzheimer's Support. It has been so heart-warming, humbling and inspiring to see the fantastic things you do, and to witness what a huge difference you make to the lives of people living with dementia. Volunteer sign up form More about Mill Street Club, Trowbridge (including the Sunday Club) More about Sidmouth Street Club, Devizes More about Old Silk Works Club, Warminster
Dementia Friends Champion Expand Running hour long Dementia Friends information sessions for a wide variety of groups across Wiltshire. Dementia Friends is a national initiative run by Alzheimer's Society. Dementia Friends offer free induction days for new champions to enable them to offer the information sessions in their own localities. For details of induction days see www.DementiaFriends.org.uk Once you have completed the induction day, we can help you find sessions in your area of Wiltshire.
Harry Theobald Expand Harry worked as a support worker for Alzheimer’s Support for nine years before moving to Salisbury. He supported his parents after his mother was diagnosed with dementia and used Alzheimer’s Support services at that time. Harry has worked for Mencap as a relief support worker. He volunteers his time to fund raise for many charities, helps with animal husbandry at the Laverstock Community Farm and edits the newsletter for Salisbury Allotments Association.
Helping out in the office Expand We sometimes have opportunities for people to help with a wide range of administrative tasks at our offices in Trowbridge and Devizes. Whether you love a complex spreadsheet - or are happier stuffing envelopes - we can usually find a job that's useful and satisfying.
Jane Palmer Expand Jane was a mental health nurse for 47 years before retiring in 2021. She writes: "Whilst working as a community nurse in Devizes I was asked to join the committee of Alzheimer’s Support. There was just one base then in Trowbridge and a small staff. During my time on the committee it expanded to the Devizes office in Sidmouth street and a monthly cares cafe in Marlborough. I stood down from the committee on transferring to Swindon. "In recent years my sister was supported by Alzheimer's Support and being aware of the support you gave her I decided to offer my services as a trustee again. In addition, I am also a scout leader and do training in First Aid for scout leaders."
Janet Dore, chair Expand Janet has hands-on experience of both dementia and Alzheimer’s Support at Home service. Her mother had dementia and lived with Janet at home and the service provided the support to allow her to continue working full-time. Janet is now retired and works tirelessly as a volunteer fundraiser for Alzheimer’s Support in addition to her role as chair of trustees. Janet worked for a large computer company and brings analytical skills and knowledge of contracts to the organisation.
Melissa McCloy Expand A qualified solicitor, Melissa has worked both in London and with her husband in their practice in Bradford on Avon. She and her Italian greyhound Nico attend the Sidmouth Street Club in Devizes every Wednesday afternoon.
Memory awareness volunteer Expand Our small but committed team of Memory Awareness Volunteers run one-to-one drop in sessions in GP surgeries for anyone concerned about their memory or that of a relative. They also give occasional talks to larger groups. The team has plenty of support and training, and dedicated materials including leaflets and template talks on their three key messages: When to Worry About Memory Why it's good to know: the importance of getting a diagnosis Living Well with Dementia. The memory awareness project started in 2012 as part of our Comic Relief funded Early Diagnosis Campaign. In 2015 the volunteer team won the Healthier Wiltshire Award from Wiltshire Council, and the same year the project won a Timeline Award from NHS England. What they say My volunteer role involves providing drop-in sessions at the library in Warminster. Anyone who has worries concerning their memory can come and see me and I can provide them with information regarding the differences between normal ageing and possible dementia. I can signpost them to a dementia adviser or suggest they visit their GP. Sometimes it is a case of reassuring people they are probably going through a normal ageing process. I would definitely recommend being a memory awareness volunteer for Alzheimer’s Support. The training is brilliant, the support is always there and it is just so rewarding. I’ve gained so much knowledge and it has helped me very much, not only as a volunteer but with my own mother. Andrea Pearce
Movement for the Mind volunteer Expand Alzheimer's Support founded Movement for the Mind in 2011 and we now have five groups in Wiltshire. The popular meetings combine gentle exercise, known to be enormously beneficial for people living with dementia, with reminiscence and plenty of social interaction. The groups are designed for people living with dementia and family carers to enjoy together. Volunteers are essential to the smooth running of the groups. You'll be part of a small team who will get the room ready and clear away, take part alongside group members in a range of gentle exercises or dance, offer a friendly welcome, serve refreshments or chat to members during social time. A member of Alzheimer's Support staff is present at all groups, as well as the professional facilitator who leads the sessions. Volunteer commitment can be as little as one session each month Chippenham Currently closed. Reopening date to be confirmed. Devizes Tuesday afternoons at the Quaker Meeting House Ludgershall Wednesday mornings at St James Hall Melksham Wednesday mornings at Bowerhill Village Hall Mildenhall Tuesday mornings at Mildenhall Village Hall nr Marlborough
Music for the Mind volunteer Expand Music for the Mind is a joyful and uplifting experience for everyone present. Our groups could not run without the support of volunteers who set up the room, provide a warm welcome to members, serve refreshments at the start of the session and take an active part in the singing. Some 'singing volunteers' also lead small groups when we break into groups for harmonies or partner songs, under the direction of our professional singing teachers. A member of Alzheimer's Support staff is also present at all groups. Most of our Music for the Mind groups (formerly Singing for the Brain) meet every week during term time but volunteers can opt to join the rota on a fortnightly basis if this is more convenient. Amesbury Monday afternoons. Reopening November 2020 in new venue. Bradford on Avon Monday mornings at Wiltshire Music Centre. Reopening date to be confirmed Chippenham fortnightly on Thursday mornings at King Alfred Hall (new venue) Harnham (Salisbury) Thursday mornings at St George's Hall Lockeridge (Marlborough) Thursday mornings at Kennet Valley Hall Malmesbury Reopening date to be confirmed Mildenhall Tuesday mornings at Mildenhall Village Hall Seend Wednesday afternoons at Seend Village Hall Trowbridge Monday afternoons at Trowbridge Town Hall (new venue) Westbury Thursday afternoons at Westbury Leigh Community Hall What they say “You leave each week knowing that you have been part of something extraordinary” Music for the Mind volunteer
Paul Tumim Expand With a career in banking specialising in risk management and financial regulation, Paul is currently working part-time within the Banking Policy Division of the Bank of England. Between 2002 and 2013 Paul was a treasurer of the Foyer Foundation, a national charity set up to support the UK's 130 Foyers as they provide accommodation and support for disadvantaged young people. Paul's understanding of dementia comes from a close family member and Womble, a wirehaired dachshund who volunteers at the Sidmouth Street Club alongside Paul's wife.
Paul Whitby Expand Paul left the National Health Service in 2017 after a long career in clinical psychology specialising in care of older people. He has been involved with Alzheimer's Support for many years, supporting our Memory Cafes and providing training sessions on the Carers’ Course and to staff. Paul has a special interest in supporting both family and professional carers and continues to write and teach on this topic.
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