(Credit: Alzheimer's Society) With a growing need in the East, South, and West parts of London, the Alzheimer's Society is looking for more volunteers.
January marks Dementia Awareness Month, with there said to be an increased need for attention in the City of London.
“During the month of January, the Alzheimer’s Society aims to inform and educate individuals about Dementia,” says Megan Fife, Manager of Volunteer Engagement with the Alzheimer Society Southwest Partners.
“We aim to raise awareness about the risks, the signs to look out for, we have a fantastic education team that holds various workshops in the community.”
She says that each year, they work to have a different focus for the month, with this year having a more direct focus on the needs of the society.
“This year we’re focusing on volunteer recruitment for our awareness month because there is a growing need. We’re seeing 100-150 new referrals come to our door every single month. With that, we do need more volunteers to help support our program.”
Fife says that, even though the Alzheimer’s Society is working to help everyone across the city, it’s harder for them to get targeted attention to certain parts of London.
“We’re in a very unique situation where we’re located in North London, so we do have a lot of university student support, but obviously that’s just in the north end of the city. Our clients are spread out all over the city of London, so our programs are all over the place. There’s a need in those specific areas.”
With the need of volunteers, Fife says that there are two main programs that people can contribute towards.
“One is our in-home recreation program,” says Fife.
“In that program, volunteers are matched with a client with Dementia. They go to the client’s home once a week and do recreational and leisure activities with them, kind of like a nice friendly visit.
We even have some requests for running partners or someone to go bike riding with.”
She says that they have a structured approach to volunteering, looking for set time lengths from those who want to help as well as working to bring the right people together in the program.
“We ask for 12 visits, so that could be one visit a week for 12 weeks or two a week for 6 weeks. Then, if you really love the program, you can be matched with someone else, a different client. We really do try to match people with similar interests and experiences together, keeping in mind that there can sometimes be a generational difference.”
On top of the in-home recreation, there’s a second program that needs attention that focuses more on group and community efforts.
“The Social takes place out of our office on Windermere Road,” says Fife.
“It runs Monday to Friday and there are two shifts each day. It’s a group-based recreation program, but the volunteers get to help with set-up and take-down as well as play. We do a lot of games and game shows, Family Feud Price is Right, we do baking, crafts, and you really just get to interact with the clients. It really creates a bond and it’s a great experience overall, I wish I could attend it every single week.”
(Credit: Alzheimer’s Society) “We’re seeing 100-150 new referrals come to our door every single month,” says Megan Fife, Manager of Volunteer Engagement with the Alzheimer Society Southwest Partners.
Fife says that volunteering in any capacity is always appreciated, adding that there are a lot of gains that are had not just for the Alzheimer’s Society and their clients, but also for the ones volunteering themselves.
“It’s to make a difference in someone else’s life outside of just your own. For argument’s sake, you’re really making a difference for your own life too. I know a lot of our volunteers do it because they want to help someone else, but say that they learn so much about themselves as well.”
She says that the importance of the programs and volunteering can stem outside of yourself as well, having the potential to change your future for the better.
“You might even find that your career path may take a switch because you realize your passion actually leads somewhere else, so it’s a great opportunity to see what is out there and to give back to your community.”
Those looking for more information or to directly volunteer can head to the Alzheimer’s Society website www.alzswp.ca or reach out over the phone to 519-680-2404.
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