Our Singing for the Brain sessions offer people affected by dementia a chance to enjoy a fun activity within a supportive environment, but we need you to help make this happen!
Singing for the Brain is a structured group session, designed around the principles of music therapy and singing, for people with dementia, who may attend alone or with a carer. These uplifting sessions offer the people attending an enjoyable activity, as well as the chance to socialise with other people affected by dementia.
As a Singing for the Brain Support Volunteer, you’ll be welcoming and talking to people with dementia, helping them to feel at ease. Once the singing session starts, you’ll provide encouragement to participate in the activity, and support the session facilitator with the activities, either online or in person.
This vacancy is for a support volunteer role at our Singing for the Brain group in Matlock.
These in-person sessions take place once per month, on a Tuesday, at the Imperial Rooms, Imperial Road, DE4 3NL. Volunteers are required to attend from 10.30am until 1.00pm and are expected to attend at least 9 sessions a year.
Duties include (but are not limited to) setting up the room, welcoming attendees, making and serving drinks, engaging with attendees and supporting them to take part in the group, assisting the Singing for the Brain Leader to run the group smoothly and tidying & washing up.
We are keen to recruit someone who may be willing to take on the role of stand-in leader (to cover very occasional annual leave or illness), but if you do not wish to do this, that's fine too!
We are a growing group of about 30-40 members, made up of people living with dementia and their carers/family members/friends - all attendees live in the wider Matlock area.
Parking is available at the car park across the road - you do need to pay to park, but you may claim this back once you are officially signed up as a volunteer.
You’ll be great for the role if:
- You have an interest in developing meaningful relationships and making a real difference.
- You want to enable people with dementia to find their voice through music in an incredibly rewarding role.
- You are fun and enthusiastic.
- You have the ability to listen and display compassion.
- If you are supporting our virtual sessions, you will need to be able to navigate effectively online and be able to use Zoom with confidence.
- Experience of dementia is not essential, nor is the ability to sing!
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 Support Team by emailing [email protected] or call on 0300 222 5706
Minimum age 16