Zest Hythe Volunteer

Bright Shadow is a creative organisation where people living with dementia and our supporters live well and enjoy making our own high quality art. We offer a range of volunteer opportunities, including supporting our Zest group in Hythe.

Serving Kent and Medway, we use the power of the arts to enable people living with dementia, and those who give care, to live happy, healthy lives.

We understand the impact of a diagnosis, yet our work fosters positivity: focusing on what we can do, not what we can’t.

We are experts in creative activities designed specifically for people with dementia to enable self-expression, social interaction and active participation. We do this in a number of ways, including our trademark Zest sessions for people living with dementia in the community.

This role is a wonderful opportunity to make a tangible impact on the lives of our participants by enabling those with more complex needs to engage with this group. Our Hythe Zest group is one of four Zest groups that meet, joining Medway, Deal and Whitstable.

You will become part of a friendly team offering support and guidance, so your positive attitude is more important to us than specific experience. We offer all volunteers dementia awareness and safeguarding training, as well as requiring an enhanced DBS certificate.

• POST REPORTS TO: Volunteer Coordinator and Zest Hythe Coordinator 
• LOCATION: Hythe Sports Pavilion, South Road, Hythe, CT21 6AR
• POSITION TYPE: Volunteer
• HOURS REQUIRED: Thursdays 1:45 - 4:15pm. We are equally looking for those who can commit on a regular basis, as well as those who would want to offer their time on a fixed basis (such as one month, 6 weeks etc).

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Understanding of or willingness to learn about living with dementia, including completing provided dementia awareness training
2. Excellent interpersonal skills, communication skills and empathy
3. Enthusiasm to join in with performance and arts activities such as singing, movement and story making wherever possible and assisting participants to engage fully
4. Work closely with Zest Hythe Coordinator to deliver a safe and high quality experience
5. Help Zest Hythe Coordinator to prepare the room before sessions and clear up at the end where necessary
6. Help Zest Hythe Coordinator to prepare refreshments for participants
7. Help the Zest Hythe Coordinator with the collection of evaluation information 
8. Assist in documenting the sessions using photography, recording and/or film on equipment provided where necessary 
9. Work within all Bright Shadow policies, including Safeguarding, Health and Safety, Equality and GDPR compliance. 
10. This role is subject to the volunteer having an up to date enhanced DBS check carried out.

Person Specification

Essential:

• Based near Hythe, Kent
• Excellent interpersonal skills, communication skills, and empathy
• Sensitive to people's needs and the safeguarding of vulnerable adults
• Good initiative and the ability to work independently
• Willing to undertake an enhanced DBS check

Desirable:

• Previous experience working with older adults
• Experience of working for an arts organisation
• Competent using an iPad
• Knowledge/understanding of dementia

Get in touch with our Finance & Operations Manager, Niamh, to talk more about whether joining our award-winning Zest team is right for you!