Our Volunteers
Our volunteers are dedicated and committed to helping those living with dementia (with or without a diagnosis) and their carers and ex-carers.
As a volunteer-led charity we rely on our volunteers to organise and attend our events and day-trips.
All our volunteers are compassionate, caring and dedicated. Many have had personal experience of supporting someone living with dementia.
As a new volunteer you could help provide support to Friends of Dementia Together Wirral, and their care partners, by interacting at regular events such as memory cafes, craft activities, singing groups, and more. Volunteers may also participate in fundraising activities or could choose to offer other skills, such as updating social media in order to raise our profile.
If you would like to make a difference to the lives of those living with dementia, and if you have the time to commit to Dementia Together Wirral on an ongoing basis, please join us as a volunteer.
Maureen's Story
After watching my mum living with dementia, I decided I would like to volunteer as a way of trying to help others in a similar position, so 8 years ago I became a volunteer with Alzheimer’s Society. However, they closed on Wirral a couple of years ago. A few volunteers decided not to let some of the support groups close, so they formed a new charity, Dementia Together Wirral. To this day I help at one of their Memory cafes.
I’ve been in the shoes of the people who attend the cafes and we offer support and friendship. This is what makes my volunteering worthwhile. We can take away some of their isolation.
One of the main parts of my job is offering a sympathetic ear and listening whilst enjoying the company of so many lovely people.
I also help at other times, with collections at supermarkets, giving out information and talking to people about the service we offer, making tea at a music group whilst listening to live entertainment and helping to organise Christmas Lunch for the members, among other things which happen.
I find the job rewarding, whilst meeting new people, learning all the time, building friendships, broadening my horizons and giving back to society. It is so worthwhile, and I would recommend it to anyone seeking voluntary work. Who knows where it could lead you?
Joan's Story
I have been volunteering for various charities since I retired about 4 years ago. I was introduced to DTW by my daughter who was helping out at a group called Musical Minds. I loved it from the first day I got involved which was mid 2019. Everyone was so welcoming and to see the clients enjoying themselves was such a pleasure.
It didn’t take long for me to realise that I wanted to get more involved and as well as the Music group, I have helped with fundraising in supermarkets and manning information tables. To see Carers speaking to our volunteers and realising that there are people out there who care and places that they can go to for help, is so rewarding. The carers can feel so isolated in their role and some of the groups provide much needed socialising for them as well as the person with Dementia.
I am now helping to run a memory café once a month and will soon be helping to run a craft afternoon.
One of the things which I find truly inspiring is that DTW is run purely by volunteers so every penny we raise goes straight back into providing much needed services for people living with this awful disease.
I hope I will be able to contribute to this amazing organisation for many years to come.
Suzanne's Story
My name is Suzanne and I am a volunteer at the Musical Minds sessions which are held monthly.
The sessions are the highlight of my month and I look forward to them as we have such a laugh.
As my background is a care manager I am often found behind my desk these days, so getting back on the ‘floor’ and doing what I love really brightens my day. I wish I had time to do more.
What I live about DTW is that it’s all volunteer lead, not for profit. Everyone is so supportive and encouraging. We are a fantastic team, and are included in everything.
Fundraising Volunteer
Although too young to be volunteers, these youngsters love to help and the picture shows our adopted car that we can use at classic car rallies with our mini-helpers who add an air of delight when we are fundraising.