Woodwork Volunteer (Forget Me Not Unit)

The Forget Me Not Unit is a specialist acute dementia unit which currently has 3 x 10 bedded wards. Patients who are admitted from across Sussex, are experiencing severe symptoms of their dementia and requiring specialist assessment and treatment. Patients tend to be admitted to the unit for up to 6 months and during their admission are supported to engage in meaningful activities to promote independence and skills maintenance, prevent boredom and reduce symptoms.

The male patients in particular enjoy engaging in practical activities such as wood work and gardening. We have a gardening volunteer who attend the unit twice a week and supports the OT staff to facilitate group gardening activities, and we are looking for someone who has an interest and skills in wood work who might be able to support us to facilitate specific wood work groups on the unit.

We are looking for a volunteer to support OT and activity staff to run basic wood work sessions on our unit. The volunteer will facilitate sessions that focus on upcycling furniture and simple woodwork projects. The sessions will explore more creative projects which the patients might enjoy such as wood carving or simple joinery.

We are looking for a volunteer who has experience and an interest in woodwork and will be confident to work alongside patients with dementia, sharing skills and supporting the unit to work on wood work projects. The items created will then be sold by the unit to raise money to go towards activities on the unit.

Days/times: One session a week - flexible - Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays between 10-12am or 2-4pm

To be successful for the role, the following is required:

Completed online volunteering application form

An informal volunteering interview

DBS check

X 2 references

We ask that volunteers commit to one shift per week for a minimum of 6 months.