Befriending Service for People with Dementia

This is a new service which is volunteer led and will see Barnsley Independent Alzheimer's and Dementia Support (BIADS) in the community, reaching out to more people with dementia who are currently living alone, isolated and unable to access our central services.

Dementia is a term that describes a number of brain disorders, the most well-known ones being Alzheimer's Disease and Vascular Dementia.

Dementia can be extremely isolating for the person with the illness. Befriending someone with dementia can be a means of social and emotional support and reducing this isolation, as well as providing -

• Opportunities to share a hobby, an activity or reminisce
• Opportunities for company to play games or do puzzles

Volunteers will empower the person with dementia to make their own decisions about activities they would like to take part in, their future and their wellbeing.

Would you care to be a volunteer befriender or advocate for someone with Alzheimer's or any form of dementia?

Are you confident, self-assured, calm, level-headed, flexible, discreet and trustworthy, aware of your own boundaries, companionable, creative and have a sense of humour?

If you answer YES to these then you could be just what we're looking for

Volunteering as a befriender is often a very rewarding experience. A volunteer frequently feels that they are making a difference to someone's life.

BIADS are looking for people who wish to become involved in this new project and are prepared to give two hours of their time on a weekly basis.

We do not expect you to be an expert in dementia but do ask you to be prepared to use your life experiences. In return for this, BIADS will provide -

• Training for your volunteering
• Ongoing support
• Reasonable travel expenses
• Opportunities to learn new skills
• Assistance with career opportunities
• The chance to improve the quality of someone's life
• The opportunity to make new friends

The Befriending Co-ordinator will be available to support and advise befrienders, and will match new befrienders with someone they really enjoy meeting each week.

Befriending someone with Alzheimer's or any form of dementia aims to make life more fulfilling for those who may suffer from a lack of self esteem due to their experiences of forgetfulness. Every day activities can become daunting and confusing which can cause frustration and anxiety.

Volunteers often become really good friends with those that they visit and the beneficial effect for the person with dementia is often amazing.

The befriender provides:

• Company and activity
• Support to carry out hobbies, interests and skills
• Access to the local community
• A regular contact

Visits or calls are made by mutual agreement. Befriending matches are based on personality and common ground between the client and the befriender as far as possible.

Often people who are experiencing any form of dementia need help in dealing with every day affairs or changes in their life.

An advocate can:

• Check that the individual is getting all the payments that they are entitled to and complete the necessary paperwork
• Sort out complicated paperwork
• Write official letters and contact official organisations on their behalf
• Support the individual or act as a representative in situations where individuals prefer not to cope alone

If you would like to know more information about this befriending service or be considered as a befriender or advocate then you can call me, Janine Jowett, on 01226 280057 or email us here. Alternatively, access the job descriptions and application form below, and forward your completed application to:

Janine Jowett Befriending Co-ordinator Barnsley Independent Alzheimer's and Dementia Support C/o Barnsley Community Build 187 Sheffield Road Barnsley, S70 4DE

Befriender Job Description

Advocate Job Description

Application Form