How To Help A Dementia Charity

According to Alzheimer's Society, there are around a million people in the UK with dementia. A progressive brain condition that causes symptoms such as memory loss, confusion and problems with speech and understanding, this condition can affect every aspect of the person's life, as well as the lives of their family.

WHY VOLUNTEER WITH A DEMENTIA CHARITY?

One in six people over the age of 80 have dementia, with Alzheimer's accounting for more than 60% of dementia diagnoses. Whether it strikes early or late in life, it is a fast-moving and terminal condition that causes huge amounts of distress for both sufferers and their families.

That's why volunteering for a dementia charity is such a brilliant thing to do with your time, whether you're looking to challenge yourself or fill some space in your diary. Volunteering is perfect if you don't have spare cash to donate, or if you want to see first-hand how your time can make a difference.

HOW TO HELP DEMENTIA CHARITIES

Help With Holidays

Leading charities such as Dementia Adventure run residential holidays for people living with dementia and their carers. With locations across the UK, the holidays usually last for five days, and require a number of volunteers in order to go ahead. By assisting at meal times and during activities, and supporting with tasks like taking photos and collecting feedback, you can help dementia sufferers and their carers enjoy quality time and special moments together.

Become A Befriending Volunteer

Befriending services play a crucial role in helping people with dementia. Whether you're visiting your friend with dementia in their home, taking them out and about, or helping with simple things like picking up some shopping, befrienders often become like part of the family to the people they support.

Help Out At A Local Cafe

A number of the UK's leading dementia charities, including Alzheimer's Society, run local cafes where people with dementia can go for a cup of tea and a chat with someone who understands what they're going through. This can be hugely therapeutic, and prevents people from bottling up what's happening to them as they focus on moving forward.

Volunteer With A Helpline

Charities like The Silver Line offer older people the chance to ring a confidential helpline where they can receive information and advice. This is wonderful for alleviating loneliness, and gives older people who are feeling isolated the opportunity to connect with others and build friendships. Having someone to talk to regularly can play a major role in warding off the onset of dementia, or at least help to slow it down.

Become A Volunteer Marketing Assistant

Some of the UK's best dementia charities work with an array of different organisations which signpost and list their services. This marketing allows charities to reach and support as many people as possible, and volunteers are needed to help keep all relevant details up to date. By volunteering as a marketing assistant for a dementia charity, you could gain valuable experience, help others, and develop new relationships too.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU VOLUNTEER

Before starting a volunteering role, you may need to go through certain training programmes and checks. This is likely to mean you'll have to make a minimum time commitment to the charity you're helping.

WHERE TO GET STARTED

Take a look at the charities below if you're interested in volunteering to help people with dementia:

• Alzheimer's Society
• Dementia Adventure
• The Silver Line

HELPING DESERVING CAUSES

If you'd like to know more about getting involved in volunteering in your community, take a look at our Local Causes page and find opportunities near you.

Our players also help a wide range of deserving Charities. They've raised hundreds of millions of pounds for good causes to date. If you'd like to join us in supporting deserving projects, sign up today.