Volunteer Role Description – Dementia Friendly Creative Connections Project Volunteers
Role Purpose
The Guildford Institute’s mission is to provide an educational, cultural, and social community hub in the heart of Guildford, offering a special place for people of all backgrounds to meet, learn and explore.
The Institute has received grant funding from The Shanly Foundation to deliver a dementia friendly creative project, Dementia Friendly Creative Connections. The project comprises of two 5-week workshops, and three seasonal special events. We are seeking volunteers to support with the running of activities, working closely with our project facilitators, Open Access Arts (OAA).
Project volunteers will provide a friendly and supportive environment and will assist with the delivery of a variety of creative session activities. Project volunteers will gain the opportunity to build meaningful connections with the session participants, in addition to giving something back to the community.
Open Access Arts’ facilitators work to a ratio of 5:1, but support from project volunteers will allow them to work 1:1 with individuals as needed; the time you give as a volunteer will make a direct and meaningful difference for people living with Dementia.
Volunteers are encouraged to attend the ‘Holiday at Home’ in June and July events (see below) by way of introduction to the project. Further training and induction will be provided by Open Access Arts on 31 July. _
Person Specification
The role may be suitable if you:
- Have an openness to engage in creative adventures with kindness and patience.
- Want to support people with dementia to stay active and creative. Have good communication and listening skills, especially face to face.
- Are prepared to undergo an induction into the role.
Role Responsibilities
- Support Open Access Arts facilitators to deliver of a varied programme of creative activities
- Provide a friendly and supportive environment for participants, offering conversation and support
- Help to make tea and coffee for participants where needed.
- Any other reasonable requests as made by the project facilitators.
- We ask all volunteers to adhere to confidentiality guidelines which will be explained to you before you begin volunteering with us and this also includes use of social media.
Dementia Friendly Creative Connections events
‘Holiday From Home’ special events: Thursday 27 June 2024, 10am – 2pm
Thursday 11 July 2024, 10am – 2pm
‘Holiday at Home’. Enjoy a staycation with Jeanette and Amanda from Open Access Arts. A welcoming and inspiring creative space, where people living with dementia can meet and explore all the benefits and joy of engaging in creative adventures. ‘Holiday at Home' is a dementia-friendly holiday drop-in. A holiday retreat where you can build a sandcastle, capture a moment, create a seaside picture, time travel, decorate a shell, laugh, drink tea, chat and more! There will be lots of creative opportunities and, hopefully, lots of joy.
Autumn Workshop: ‘Creative Connections’
Thursday 19 September – Thursday 17 October 2024 (5 consecutive Thursdays), 10am – 12pm
A welcoming and inspiring creative space, where people living with dementia can meet and enjoy all the benefits of engaging in creative activities - story capture, film, painting, dance, music, and other mixed media activities. Almost anything and everything! Volunteers will be joining Jeanette and Amanda from Open Access Arts (OAA) in offering support with the delivery of a varied programme of creative activities. The aim is to create a safe, non- judgmental environment, of mutual support and respect for all. OAA share the belief that no one should be defined by their dementia. There will be lots of creative opportunities and, hopefully, lots of joy.
Please note: for consistency to benefit the group participants, Open Access Arts have requested that volunteers commit to all five of these sessions.
‘Festive Fun’ special event
Thursday 5 December 2024, 10am – 2pm
‘Festive Fun’ is a dementia-friendly seasonal drop-in. A welcoming and inspiring creative space, where people living with dementia can meet and explore all the benefits and joy of engaging in creative adventures. A festive retreat where you can make festive cards and decorations to keep and take away! Capture a moment, create a picture, time-travel, laugh, drink tea, chat and more! There will be lots of creative opportunities and, hopefully, lots of joy.
Spring Workshop: ‘Creative Connections’
Thursday 16 January - Thursday 13 February 2025 (5 consecutive Thursdays), 10am – 12pm
A welcoming and inspiring creative space, where people living with dementia can meet and enjoy all the benefits of engaging in creative activities - story capture, film, painting, dance, music, and other mixed media activities. Almost anything and everything! Volunteers will be joining Jeanette and Amanda from Open Access Arts (OAA) in offering support with the delivery of a varied programme of creative activities. The aim is to create a safe, non- judgmental environment, of mutual support and respect for all. OAA share the belief that no one should be defined by their dementia. There will be lots of creative opportunities and, hopefully, lots of joy.
Please note: for consistency to benefit the group participants, Open Access Arts have requested that volunteers commit to all five of these sessions.
