Creative Befrienders - Resonate Arts
Are you creative, patient and a good listener? Volunteer as a Creative Befriender with Resonate Arts and get to use your creative skills to support a person living with dementia. Resonate Arts produces a pioneering programme of creative activities and experiences for and with people living with dementia in the boroughs of Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea. The charity is currently looking for volunteers to join its award-winning* Creative Befriending service. This has a unique arts focus and gives volunteers the opportunity to share fun creative arts activities with a person living with dementia. Regular creative befriending sessions can help increase a person’s confidence, boost mood and motivation and help to reduce loneliness and isolation following a dementia diagnosis. As a volunteer, you will be matched with a person living with dementia in Westminster or Kensington & Chelsea who has similar interests. As you get to know each other, you will spend time together using creative arts such as painting, textiles, music, sculpture, photography, or writing poetry/stories as a means to build a strong social connection with the person. Depending on the individual, this could be in the home environment or out in the community going to exhibitions, concerts, or museums. Resonate Arts can also link you to their own programme of dementia friendly sessions with partners such as Wigmore Hall, the V&A and the Royal Academy of Music. What do we offer? • A full induction, Dementia Awareness training and Safeguarding Adults training • The opportunity to gain experience at our group activity sessions in Westminster • The chance to meet other Creative Befrienders for peer-to-peer support at our quarterly Gatherings • Ongoing support from a dedicated Projects Manager, including a joint visit to meet your befriendee • Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses (travel, refreshments and art materials) • A free Enhanced DBS check Commitment required: Total number of sessions: 15 minimum Duration: home visits – 1-2 hours per session; trips out can take longer Frequency: Weekly, Fortnightly or Monthly (depending on your availability) Days & Times: Monday to Friday (days and times are flexible) Location: Westminster or Kensington & Chelsea Contact: info@resonatearts.org or Tel: 0300 030 7212 *Outstanding Approach to Supporting People Living with Dementia using Creativity and the Arts Award (National Dementia Care Awards 2024)