Group support volunteer

The RAF Benevolent Fund runs groups in the community for members of the RAF Family who have diagnosed and undiagnosed memory loss with the aim of enhancing their wellbeing through social contact and reminiscence. The groups are a very relaxed and fluid environment where the volunteers will mostly find themselves talking socially with the beneficiaries as a group or individually and helping with refreshments. Volunteers provide additional social contact across the group where benecificaries may be new to the group or find the group aspect more difficult. By listening to the beneficiaries, volunteers can also find out about any further welfare needs an individual may have, and signpost them to additional services via fund staff.

To support the running of the reminiscence group, volunteers are asked to:

·       Welcome beneficiaries as they arrive, helping them settle in and start up social conversations.

·       Support with the sign up forms for anyone who is new to the group.

·       Listen to beneficiaries about any welfare needs they may have and either signpost them to additional Fund services (if known) and pass the information on to staff members to follow up.

·        Assist with refreshments for the group where needed.

Skills needed for this role include:

·       Approachable

·       Proactive

·       Empathetic and thoughtful

·       Flexible to the needs of others

(Some experience communicating with people living with dementia is preferable but not essential)