Side by Side Volunteer

Role Overview

As a Side by Side volunteer, you’ll be visiting a person with dementia for a minimum of an hour each week. During your visits you’ll be helping them to take part in activities they love, or even to try new ones, such as popping round the shops, visiting the park, going for a walk, supporting the local football team or simply staying in and looking through old photos.

You’ll be visiting the same person each week and will be updating the Side by Side Coordinator and/or a lead volunteer after every visit to provide brief feedback on what took place.

Are you interested in playing a vital part in enriching the life of someone with dementia in your local area? Do you want to help to reduce the social isolation which so often accompanies a diagnosis of dementia – and make a life‑changing difference?

• You are motivated to make a difference to the lives of people affected by dementia in your local area.
• You enjoy spending time with people and have strong interpersonal and listening skills.
• You are motivated to volunteer on your own, but whilst remaining in contact and supported by the Side by Side team.
• You are able to commit to a dedicated visit every week, and can be patient and flexible according to the needs of the person you will be supporting.
• Minimum age 18.

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 is 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.

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.

Alzheimer’s Society is committed to equal opportunities. We embrace diversity, inclusion and accessibility for all of our people. We are committed to building a diverse organisation that represents the communities we serve and ensuring inclusion in everything we do. This means ensuring our recruitment processes are barrier‑free and as inclusive as possible to everyone. We will look at making reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability or long‑term condition.