The Alzheimer Society of Grey-Bruce is hosting a free workshop for current and prospective volunteers. The workshop takes place on November 25th from 10:00 am – 12:30 pm at the Grey Bruce Public Health building in Owen Sound. Learn about the organization’s programs, how to engage participants who are living with dementia in a fun social environment, and what roles are available for volunteers. The organization continues to expand its programs and needs new volunteers to support that growth.
Volunteer Coordinator, Jennifer Isber-Legge says, “this program could not have gotten this far without a number of tremendous volunteers, and that’s why we need more to keep it going.” She continued, “It’s just about connecting with people –listening, laughing, and being there to give a helping hand if someone needs it.”
In 2014, the Society started one of the original pilot tests for the Minds in Motion program. What started with six 8-week sessions in two locations, a total of 48 days of programing, is now nineteen 8-week sessions happening in six different locations, for a total of 152 days of programing.
Long-time volunteer Judy Givens loves helping with the programs. Givens will tell anyone “We laugh so much! My job as a volunteer is to make sure everyone is having fun, and that is never hard to do.”
Minds in Motion is a group program for caregivers and people living with dementia. They meet once a week for two hours. The first hour is for physical activity. The second hour is for mentally stimulating activities and social interaction. Studies have shown that this mix of exercise and community works better than either activity done independently.
Recently, the Alzheimer Society of Grey-Bruce added another program to make life better for local families living with dementia. Active Living is a social activity time for people living with dementia. The response has been so good after a brief trial period that this program will be expanding as well.
Active Living will be taking place in five communities around Grey-Bruce with another 88 days of programing. Combined the two programs will mean the society is now offering a program for people living with dementia somewhere in this region almost every weekday of the year.
“This has been an incredible transformation for our organization and our clients,” said Executive Director Stephen Musehl. “Many people living with dementia can continue to engage with the community if given the proper space and support to do so and these programs are a great example of that.” Musehl continued, “We are so grateful to the Ontario Trillium Foundation and to local donors who have made this possible.”
Registration for the volunteer workshop is required. Anyone interested in attending or in volunteering with the Alzheimer Society of Grey-Bruce should contact Jennifer Isber-Legge at (519) 376-7230 Ext 1122 or by email at [email protected]
source: media release