Group volunteer

We are delighted that you are interested in volunteering for Herts Musical Memories.

Herts Musical memories (HMM) was founded in June 2017, taking over from Singing for the Brain originally provided by The Alzheimer’s Society in Hertfordshire, bringing together people with dementia and their carers helping them to live well and enjoy a sense of unity through music.  When the Alzheimer’s Society lost their funding to run Singing for the Brain in Hertfordshire there was a sense of loss and devastation among the groups members - they sought help from local MPs along with councillors and press in an attempt to save the groups. Out of this campaign HMM was formed. The personal funding from its members to help start the charity speaks volumes of how key this service was to them, being often the only activity that a person with dementia responded too in any meaningful way - particularly those further along in their illness.  According to family, friends and carers the urgency for the groups to continue was vital for the mental health and wellbeing of their loved ones

The singing sessions have been devised through research carried out by the Alzheimer’s Society and use musical therapy whilst remaining informal and a lot of fun.   It has been proven that singing is one of the best activities for people living with dementia.  We remember music in different parts of our brain and it is the last memory to go.   One of our members lost his speech early on in his illness and couldn’t read, however once he started singing he found he could read the lyrics. Other benefits are the socialisation, reduction of anxiety and depression and feeling safe in a supportive and non-judgemental environment.  A recent new member told us that when her friends found out that her husband had dementia they all deserted her.  This, sadly is very common and demonstrates how the illness impacts not just the person with a diagnosis but also the wider family.   Many clients tell us the relief of finding our services is enormous – they feel they have a life again.

ROLE DESCRIPTION

The sessions are run by our professional Group Leaders who carefully prepare them each week and are responsible for ensuring the sessions run smoothly. Our volunteers play a vital role in supporting this process, helping to make our singing sessions warm and inviting ensuring from the moment our members come through the door they have a positive experience that helps them deal with this devastating illness.

There are a number of tasks that the Group Leader needs support with, these are:

·       Helping set up the room and preparing refreshments.

·       Meet and greet people as they arrive.

·       Help with the attendance register, signing people in and taking their fees.

·       Handing out music lyrics once the singing begins.

·       Handing out musical instruments when needed.

·       If you are a confident singer – helping with the rounds and the partner song.

·       Clearing up at the end making sure the hall is neat and tidy, all instruments and lyrics have been collected and are put away.

Currently we are seeking support in our Bushey group, however we will consider applications from people who are interested in volunteering in one of our other 8 groups within Hertfordshire.

Thank you so much for offering to support Herts Musical Memories. 

Charity No: 1176007