By Working with people with dementia
KEY RECRUITMENT INFORMATION
| Paid or Voluntary: | Voluntary |
| Length of contract: | Term-time – either one, two or three terms |
| Hours of work: | 9.45-12 Thursday mornings |
| Location: | Age UK Canterbury |
| Responsible to: | Liz Jennings |
| Degrees considered: | Students from any discipline |
| How to apply: | By email: lizjenningscreative@gmail.com |
| Application deadline: | Friday 15th October |
| Interview dates: | Monday 18th October or Thursday 21st October |
| Expected start date: | Thursday 4th November |
About the employer:
I am an author and writing tutor, based in Canterbury. For ten years now I have been working with people with dementia, providing opportunities for them to enjoy writing and literature. I work in close consultation with people with dementia to ensure that the delivery of courses is fully inclusive and enabling for them. I am a freelance practitioner in the arts for wellbeing arena (also known as psychosocial interventions) and led the world’s first writing group for people with dementia here in Canterbury. Since then, I’ve worked alongside people with dementia to enable them to create plays, short film scripts and poetry. I’m passionate about supporting and encouraging people with dementia to use writing and literature as a way to improve a sense of daily wellbeing.
Roles and responsibilities:
The role will involve supporting people with dementia of all ages and varying stages in enjoying poetry and creating their own pieces of writing.
This may be through acting as a scribe for those who find the physical act of writing challenging, or simply by listening to what a person with dementia is saying, and reflecting that back to them to enable them to get their thoughts onto paper.
Flexibility and kindness are key. The social element of these groups makes a big difference to the lives of people with dementia, and so I am looking for people who enjoy connecting with people.
People with dementia are frequently told ‘You can’t do this’, and I am dedicated to breaking through that wall of negativity, because it’s not true. People with dementia can still do amazing things.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
An interest in people and positive mental health and wellbeing is more important than your subject of study as training will be provided.
Experience / Knowledge
- Attention to detail
- Able to follow
- An easy-going nature, happy to ‘go with the flow’
Essential Skills / Abilities
- Friendly and approachable
- Good communication skills
- Good time management skills
- Reliable and trustworthy
- Kindness and compassion
- Encouraging to others
HEALTH & SAFETY:
- This role involves working at the Age UK Centre in Canterbury.
- You will need to come with a mask, as their Covid-19 restrictions are still very much in force.