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Meaningful Activities Volunteer

  • VO94518

Description

Dewar House is a care home in Hamilton that provides a service to a maximum of 16 older people with up to two long term places for those over 50yrs. Our Service users currently all have a diagnosis of Dementia and are at all different levels of cognition, ability and need.

We are looking for volunteers to provide meaningful activity to the service users living at Dewar House. We would like this to include physical, social and leisure activities that are tailored to the service users’ needs and preferences. The activity can range from activities of daily living such as maintaining appearance- hair washing/styling, nail painting, leisure activities such as reading, gardening, arts and crafts, conversation, and singing. Activities can be structured or spontaneous, for groups or individuals, and may involve family, friends and the care team, or the wider community.
Activities should provide physical, emotional, creative, intellectual and spiritual stimulation for the service users.
Activities should take place in an environment that is appropriate to the service users’ needs and preferences, which can include using service users’ apartments, communal areas and the local community. Each unit in Dewar House benefits of a communal lounge, dining and kitchen areas, quiet room. Outdoor spaces include large, landscaped gardens, green house and lots of seating areas around. Dewar house is a small unit on one level with access straight out to the gardens from a decked area leading out from two large lounges.

Engaging service users in activities beyond routine care is an important factor in the life of service users within Dewar house. A choice of activities is important for improving a sense of independence, confidence, positive self-image health and wellbeing for our service users. Activities should provide a sense of purpose for our service users.

Not all service users want to be involved in a competitive game of cards or bingo, but you will find some that love reading and enjoy having a book read to them.
You will find service users that enjoyed gardening and want to get involved in a care home gardening group or provide individual support to plant plants or flowers.
Service users that enjoy cooking or baking should be encouraged to participate in kitchen activities to give them the opportunity to continue to do what they enjoy and love to feel fulfilled.
Service users that enjoy going for the newspapers should be encouraged to go out into the local community to collect the daily papers. Other social activities example you may wish to undertake can include:

• Card Games
• Bingo
Letter writing /communication with loved ones
• Gardening
• Flower Arranging
• Cooking
• Painting, Drawing, Art Classes
• Board games
• Games Nights
• Singing Groups
• Entertainment Events
• Family Days
• Dog Days
• Exercise Classes
• Afternoon Teas
• Birthday Celebrations
• Quiz Nights
Reminiscence sessions
• Outings to local attractions
• Cinema experience
• Relaxation sessions

Frequency and commitment details

Commitment 6 Months 2 Hours, Weekly

Restrictions

Experience required: No Expertise Enthusiastic
Travel details: This volunteering takes place in SOUTH LANARKSHIRE in Hamilton
Minimum age: 16

Support

Expenses paid: Yes
Training details: Induction to building, Fire Basic dementia training Health and safety Infection control
Support: Named Contact For Volunteer

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