We’re looking for warm, friendly, reliable people to join our volunteering community. You don’t need any prior experience of working with people living with Dementia – we’ll give you all the training you need! All we ask is that you are kind, compassionate, sensible and patient, and want to make a real difference to the lives of people living with Dementia in Manchester. 

About us:

Together Dementia Support are here to help people to live positively with Dementia in Manchester and Trafford. There are an estimated 5,000 people in Manchester currently living with Dementia. We support people to live actively, socially and positively, with support for both people living with Dementia and their loved ones.

Since being established in 2014, TDS has supported over 1,000 people living with Dementia and their loved ones. We currently have over 280 members and 300 carers who we support week in, week out, 52 weeks a year.  Our dedicated team of Dementia Support Coordinators and volunteers are the lifeblood of our service, working to improve physical and mental health and enable people to live positively with Dementia. 

For people living with Dementia, we offer a range of activities such as social groups, walking groups, arts & crafts, music and games groups, as well as one-to-one at home social activity support. For carers, we provide online and in person group support, one-to-one advice and guidance, training opportunities and a friendly ear to listen. 

About the role:

Volunteer Minibus Escorts will accompany our minibus drivers onboard our two lovely Together Dementia Support minibuses, helping to pick-up and drop-off members before and after groups. Drivers and Escorts are a key part of our members’ group experience – you’ll be their first and last contact with Together Dementia Support each week, so we rely on you to bring them smiles, positivity and the warmest welcome. Help us make our groups the highlight of their week!

Volunteer Escorts will board the minibus with our drivers in the morning, ready to pick members up and transport them to the group, which will run for 2 hours. Depending on your availability, once the group has ended there is an option to finish your volunteering shift, or support members on the minibus for the return journey – finishing back at the Kath Locke Centre. We may also ask you to begin your volunteering shift at the group, and then support on the return journey.

You’ll be responsible for our members boarding and disembark the minibus safely, and engaging with them throughout the journey. You also be expected to stay in good contact with our members and carers around pick-up times, delays or issues. You’ll also stay in good contact with our office and the group Dementia Support Co-ordinator around any issues or problems.

For example, a shift as a Volunteer Escort for an afternoon group might look like this:

11:30 – Arrive at the Kath Locke Centre to meet the Driver, collect the Transport List and the Minibus

11:45 to 13:00 – Collect members from their homes

13:30 – Arrive at the group venue, and help members disembark the minibus

13:30 to 15:30 – Help out with the group activities.  

15:30 to 16:30 (Optional) – Help members back onto the bus, and return them to their homes before heading back to the Kath Locke Centre

All volunteers are also expected to adhere to the following Together Dementia Support policies – Health & Safety, Safeguarding, Equality Diversity & Inclusion, and any other policies deemed relevant.

Accessibility:

Due to the nature and responsibilities of the Volunteer Escort role, we are unable to offer this role as an accessible volunteer opportunity. Many of our members have mobility issues often linked to age, additional health conditions or dementia itself, and it is important that Volunteer Escorts are able to complete our Moving & Handling training, so as to physically support individuals on and off the minibus, and whilst walking, safely. As part of our commitment to the Health & Safety of our members and volunteers, all new and potential Volunteer Escorts will be risk assessed for this role.