Volunteering With Dementia

Volunteering with dementia - You still have so much to give!

When you receive a diagnosis of dementia, it can feel like the world suddenly puts you in a different box - one labelled "can't," "shouldn't," or "used to." But the truth is that a diagnosis doesn't erase your past, your passions, or your purpose. You've built a lifetime of invaluable knowledge, skills, humour, determination, and kindness, and those gifts are still useful now, more than ever.

Volunteering is a powerful way to stay connected, feel valued, and give back to your community. And, people living with dementia can and do volunteer. In fact, we bring something really special to the table, wisdom earned through lived experience, empathy, and a deeper understanding of what truly matters.

Never "Retire"

Perhaps you were a teacher, a builder, a nurse, a parent, an organiser, a fixer, a listener. All those skills don't vanish. They evolve. You might not want to run the show anymore (or maybe you do!), but your presence, ideas, and support can still make a lasting impact and change lives.

Volunteering doesn't mean committing to huge responsibilities or sticking to rigid routines. It can be as flexible as you need it to be. Maybe you might:

• Help out at a local food bank or charity shop for an hour a week

• Welcome visitors at a community centre

• Share your story to inspire others

• Support dementia awareness events

• Offer quiet companionship to someone else who's struggling
  

Every action, no matter how small, sends out ripples.

Perhaps you have "specialist" skills?

I work with the Alzheimer's Society's Data Team, providing a user's perspective on their data management systems, informed by my experience as a former Data Engineer and augmented by my personal experiences living with dementia.

I volunteer at my local library, providing free guidance on anything IT-related, whether it's demystifying computers, "skilling up" people who want to do more complex things with their word processors, spreadsheets or presentations, or solving virus or internet problems.

Think about what YOU can offer.

Connection is a Two-Way Street

Volunteering keeps us connected. It isn't just about giving - it's about belonging. It's about keeping sharp and maintaining your brain health.

When you join a local cause or group, you're surrounded by people who care, people who notice your strengths, and who value your voice. You will laugh more, worry less, and rediscover that fantastic feeling of making a difference.

You will get a confidence boost. Dementia can erode your sense of identity, but volunteering reminds you that you still have a lot to offer. That you can still be capable. Kind. Worthwhile.

A Different Kind of Expertise

People with dementia bring a unique perspective that's often missing in community conversations. When you speak up, join in, or just show up, you're showing the world that dementia doesn't define you. You're an advocate without even trying - just by being present.

You also have life skills that can't be taught in a classroom: patience, resilience, humour, and compassion. The things that make communities stronger.

Start Small, Dream Big

If you're not sure where to begin, try this:

1. Think about what you enjoy doing. Start with your passions.

2. Talk to someone you trust—maybe a support worker, a friend, or a local organisation.

3. Try one thing. Just once. If it's not the right fit, try something else. No pressure.

4. Celebrate your courage. Because it is courageous to keep showing up in the world with an open heart.

5. Enjoy exercising your mental muscles.
   

Your diagnosis may have changed your path, but it hasn't changed your power.

You still matter. You still have value. And your community still needs you.

So go ahead—share your skills and experience, lend a hand, and remind the world (and yourself) that you're not fading away.

You're just finding new ways to shine.