As project leaders, we most enjoyed seeing our volunteers become more confident in their work with the residents, since Dementia patients can be a little daunting! The only real challenge we faced was keeping our volunteers interested every week; however, we made ourselves available to them if they had concerns, and organised the sessions in such a way that they couldn’t possibly forget to go! In this way, we wouldn’t have changed a thing; we think our volunteers were dedicated and thoroughly enjoyed the project.
Personally, our favourite moment was at the end of our fourth session, the music session; this is because many of the volunteers and residents were all gathered in the same place, with the care home manager and also care staff listening to Jazz played by members of UCLU jazz society. After this performance, the volunteers encouraged the residents in a sing-a-long and many were dancing and enjoying themselves! The only advice we can offer is this: plan your project well and get to know your volunteers, but, most importantly, have fun.
