Volunteers play so many roles at Alzheimer Scotland. Whether it's lending a helping hand at their local Centre, manning our 24h Freephone Dementia Helpline, or holding the bucket at a national collection, volunteers are essential to our work. This week, we want to say a huge thank you to every one of our generous and dedicated volunteers.
Stories
Derek's story
"If you do get the opportunity to volunteer for a charity you have a connection with, I'd encourage you to do so. You will get much more back than you put in!"
Derek has been volunteering with Alzheimer Scotland for 8 years, leading the Football Memories Group at the Brain Health & Dementia Resource Centre in Fife. The session lasts for 90 minutes, the same length as a football match, with different themes and topics of discussion each month.
Over the years Derek has met so many different individuals and families, each with their own stories to share but all united by a shared love of the 'beautiful game', Derek, being a football fanatic himself, really enjoys growing his knowledge and trivia with every session. Each month offers something a little different, with a variety of activities such as quizzes, pictorial clues, memorabilia and resources supplied by the Scottish Football Memories Association. Quite often family members or carers join the group to provide help and encouragement as well as experience their loved ones smiling, laughing and re-telling their favourite stories from yesteryear. Knowledge is shared, questions are answered but the most important thing is the laughter and camaraderie you can see and hear. This really gives Derek the motivation to continue volunteering.
Stories
Anne and Bill's story
Husband and wife, Bill and Ann, have both experienced losing their mothers to dementia with Bill losing his mother in 1997 and Ann's passing away in 2020. Over the two decades since his mother's death, Bill believes there has been a big improvement in both dementia awareness and the support available but both Bill and Ann feel more can be done to support people living with dementia. Alzheimer Scotland is a nominated charity of Bill’s work and with their close personal connection the couple felt was the obvious charity to support to give their personal time to also. They’ve recently volunteered for Alzheimer Scotland at the Supernova Run, Morrisons Forget Me Not appeal in May and the Edinburgh Marathon Festival, cheering on the runners taking part over the weekend. Bill and Ann have really enjoyed volunteering with Alzheimer Scotland and are keen to continue supporting through volunteering opportunities.