Redbridge Dementia Befriending Service
One Place East is restarting Redbridge Dementia Befriending Service, which will allow people with dementia to continue doing what interests them and help them to participate in activities that will help to reduce their isolation ...
A free service improving the quality of life of people with dementia who live at home or in a residential care setting; through the provision of volunteer befrienders.
We aim to provide a service to people with memory problems who are living independently, attending day services, going through transition into residential or nursing care as well as those already living in long term care settings. Redbridge Dementia Befriending Service will facilitate the person with dementia to continue doing what interests them, or to help them to participate in activities that will help to reduce their isolation and improve their general wellbeing.
Is there someone you think may benefit from befriending?
Dementia is an ’umbrella’ term that describes a number of brain disorders that commonly cause a loss of brain function and skill. The most familiar of these are Alzheimer’s Disease and Vascular Dementia. Dementia can be tremendously isolating for the person who has the illness. For the family of those with dementia who may live at a distance, work full-time or have family commitments; it can be stressful and worrying if someone with dementia spends a deal of time alone. While some people may have a care package in place, this does not always allow time for an opportunity to:
- share a hobby
- to chat about his/her life up to now
- to play cards or complete crosswords
- look through old photos
- walk to the park
Volunteering with Redbridge Dementia Befriending Service
All volunteers are required to undertake training that will give them the skills to provide the befriending service. We do not expect them to be an expert in dementia but we do ask them to be prepared to make a commitment of a minimum of 1 visit per week. We require the volunteer to undertake an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (this checks if they have any criminal convictions) and two character references. In return for this, Redbridge Dementia Befriending Service commits to:
- provide on-going support
- cover reasonable travel and out of pocket expenses
Download the leaflet for more details...
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Dementia Befriending Service
