Neshama (Namaste) Volunteer for Jewish Care's Dementia Care Services

Neshama (Namaste) Volunteer for [Employer hidden — view at passion-project.co.uk]'s Dementia Care Services - Opportunities available across all [Employer hidden] resources

Namaste Care, ‘Neshama’ at [Employer hidden], is a holistic method of engagement for people living with dementia. We create a calming, welcoming atmosphere, an environment you ‘feel’ when you enter the room. It is a multi-sensory approach, using relaxing music, ambient lighting, aromatherapy and hand massage. This role makes a huge and valuable impact to those living with dementia, providing stimulation and connection, improving quality of life for our residents. Volunteers can bring to the role their individual skills, expertise, or interests to provide residents with wellbeing and relaxing practices to support these wonderful sessions. [Employer hidden] are proud to implement new approaches to supporting people living with dementia. This role is to work alongside Dementia Practitioners to implement Neshama Namaste sessions with small groups of residents or one-to-one. What you’ll be doing in this role: • Working to support the Dementia Practitioner team in a calming, welcoming atmosphere that appeals to all the senses. • Greet residents, offer hand, head, or shoulder massage and/or offer tailored appropriate sensory activities with residents’ one-to-one. • Holistic or sensory care • Each session is tailored and can vary dependant on the needs of each resident/session.

Namaste Care helps people in care homes living with dementia by focusing on comfort, connection, and sensory engagement rather than tasks or verbal communication. Through gentle touch, soothing music, familiar scents, and calm one-to-one attention, it reduces distress, improves wellbeing, and helps residents feel valued and secure. This approach supports emotional needs, even in advanced dementia, by creating moments of calm, dignity, and meaningful human connection.

• Good listening skills and non-verbal communication skills, empathetic and non-judgemental attitude • Able to confidently engage with a diverse range of people and enjoy helping others. • Empathetic and understanding attitude. • An understanding of issues that affect people living with dementia. • A calm and sensitive manner • An open-minded, creative approach • Patience and the ability to work at a slow pace to match residents. • Ability to share appropriate information and follow processes. • Reliable and flexible • To abide by Jewish Cares policies- with reference to confidentiality and data protection. • The ability to work independently (if required) but also stay within the role’s boundaries. • A ‘can do’ attitude and willingness to be flexible with required tasks

Training is available so volunteers can carry out their roles to the highest professional standards, develop new skills, build confidence, make new friends and take on new and increasingly responsible tasks. [Employer hidden] will provide the following training, essential for this role:  Provide you with access to a Volunteer Handbook and all Policies and Procedures.  Provide Induction Training: Getting to know [Employer hidden], Communication & Disability Awareness, Boundaries & Confidentiality, Safeguarding, Health & Safety, GDPR.  Specialist groundbreaking DementiAbility training  Provide on the job induction.

Without our volunteers, we simply couldn’t function. We absolutely depend on you. Whatever your age, disability, whether you are working, unemployed or retired, there are opportunities to help at [Employer hidden]. As well as helping others you’ll get the chance to develop skills, build confidence and make new friends.  Enhance the lives of older people, making a real difference to the Jewish Community we support.  Be part of a great team and make new friends.  Build your confidence and develop transferable skills.  Access to a comprehensive training programme designed for the social care environment.  Gain valuable experience and enhance your CV Our aim is to enable people to enjoy a first-class experience as volunteers, making the most of their skills to make an impact on the communities that [Employer hidden] serve.

Not sure which role suits you or need a little friendly help? Please contact Angie at [contact hidden] for London or Rebecca at [contact hidden] for Manchester.

Location:All care home resources across [Employer hidden]

Age limit:Volunteers aged 18 or over

Hours per session:Between 2 and 4 hours

Availability:On-going