Change someone’s life and change yours too – become an Alzheimer’s Society Side by Side volunteer in Sefton

Change someone’s life and change yours too – become an Alzheimer’s Society Side by Side volunteer in Sefton

Alzheimer’s Society is on the lookout for Sefton residents ready to take up a fun, friendly, super-flexible volunteering opportunity, with their Side by Side service. They will be holding a volunteer recruitment event, in association with Sefton CVS, at Morrison’s Café in Southport on Wednesday 17 October from 10am to 12 noon. Volunteers will be matched with someone with dementia, so they can help them keep on doing the things they love – and try new things too.

The UK’s leading dementia charity aims to support people living with dementia to continue to play an active part in their community and do more with Side by Side. Alzheimer’s Society research shows people with dementia are more at risk of loneliness – with a third of people reporting to have lost friends since their diagnosis.  Two thirds of people with dementia remain in their communities, but many feel trapped in their own homes – with almost one in 10 only leaving the house once a month.

Side by Side, supported by the players of People’s Postcode Lottery, aims to change that. Byusing a new approach to volunteering by matching people through what they love to do, Side by Side volunteers get to make a difference; not only to the lives of people in their area living with dementia, but to their own life too.

For example David has vascular dementia and lives in Southport. He loves to take a stroll in the local park but has started to struggle on his own. We would like to find someone who also enjoys walking and who could give David a little helping hand. 

Bev Breen, Side by Side Co-ordinator from the Sefton Alzheimer’s Society office said: “Loneliness is a real problem for people with dementia, yet we know that one of the most important things for those affected is to remain part of their community and continue to do the things they love – from badminton to ballroom dancing, we are encouraging people to do more with Side by Side.

“With someone developing dementia three minutes, there are over 25 people waiting for volunteers right now in Sefton. It’s vital that we all unite against dementia and do what we can to make a difference.”

Existing Side by Side volunteers have reported that they have gained and shared skills, developed new friendships and even enhanced their job prospects through their involvement in Side by Side. From watching a movie, to catching a fish, do something you love or try something new. Or if it suits you better, you can volunteer on the Side by Side phone line.

Do more. Explore more. Enjoy more. Come along to our recruitment event or Sign up for Side by Side by visiting alzheimers.org.uk/sidebysidevolunteer or call the local office on 01704 539967 to find out more.