Dementia Café Facilitation Volunteer

What are the key tasks of this role?

• Help get the venue and arrangements for the Café set up – positioning chairs, setting the tables, preparing refreshments, making the setting welcoming etc.
• Welcome people as they arrive. Assist newcomers to settle in – maybe suggesting somewhere to sit and introducing them to others on their table.
• Offer cakes and make drinks, clear cups and plates etc.
• Some people attending the Dementia Café may wish to know more about the hospice services – they might have a loved one with a condition and want to know what is on offer or what can be done; or they might be interested in supporting the hospice by fundraising or volunteering. You will provide them with relevant information and signposting or put them in contact with people who can.
• Keep a headcount of people who attend the Café and feed this back to staff at the end so that we can keep a record of attendance figures.
• Take responsibility for the health and safety of cafe attendees (as far as possible) e.g. ensure any spillages are cleared up, that the seating and table arrangements allow for wheelchair access, raise the alarm if anyone is unwell or there is any form of emergency.
• Clear away at the end of the Café, putting the room back to how it was before the Café started.

What skills, experience or personal qualities will I need?

• Friendly, welcoming approach
• Ability to create a supportive environment in which everyone feels welcome
• Happy speaking to small groups and to individuals
• Excellent listening skills
• Able to retain knowledge about hospice services and answer questions about them. Also to be comfortable seeking assistance when queries arise that are beyond your own knowledge or comfort levels.
• Non-judgemental
• Flexible in approach
• Reliable and punctual
• Able to remember drink requests, and communicate these clearly to others.
• Physical ability to carry trays of drinks, move chairs, set tables etc.