Community Link Volunteer - Birmingham

This community-based role will involve work across Birmingham, and applicants must therefore live within the area. Activity will primarily focus on central Birmingham and surrounding neighbourhoods, including Small Heath (B10), Spark Brook and Spark Hill (B11), Ladywood (B16), Handsworth (B20), Perry Barr (B42), as well as outlying areas such as Castle Bromwich (B36).

Applications are welcome from individuals with a particular interest in working within specific localities, for example North or South Birmingham. Help us to extend our reach! We are here for anyone affected by dementia and are keen to reach people in all communities, including those who may be more at risk of isolation through language, accessibility needs, identity or background.

You’ll play a crucial role in building and strengthening community links and raising awareness of the services we have available within Birmingham. It could also involve taking referrals for direct support where required. You’ll take part in events and talk to groups to raise awareness of dementia and to identify people affected by dementia who can share their dementia story with their wider community as well as with us. You’ll also signpost people to access our services.

Applicants are welcomed from different ethnic groups and connections within given communities are helpful though these can be further researched. Experience of dementia is helpful but not essential. Experience of promotions and or research may also be helpful.

You’ll be great for the role if:

• You have a confident and friendly approach and are committed to including people from all backgrounds, treating them with dignity and as individuals.
• You are empathetic and responsive.
• You are flexible with your availability; requests for talks can be a mixture of pre-planned and ad hoc.
• You have a good knowledge and understanding of your local community.
• You have excellent communication skills and are able to talk to a variety of audiences and in front of groups. The ability to communicate in languages other than English is not essential but may be helpful.
• You are over the age of 18.

If you find completing online applications difficult, please don’t let this stop you from applying. Please call or email us and we can support you with the application process. You can contact the Volunteer Recruitment Team by emailing volunteering@alzheimers.org.uk or call 0300 222 5706.

Alzheimer’s Society is here for everyone affected by dementia. By 2025, an estimated 1 million people will be living with the condition in the UK, and many millions more carers, partners, families and friends will be affected. Dementia is a complex condition, and there’s no one-size fits all solution but until we find a cure, our aim is to transform lives today.

We do this by:

• Providing flexible support services so that people with dementia, their carers and loved ones, can access expert advice and guidance, support through their most challenging days, and a safe space to turn when they need it.
• Being a force for change - using research and influencing to push for breakthroughs that will change the lives of people affected by dementia now and in future.

Our Values:

• Determined to make a difference: We’re passionate, we’re focused and we make a lasting impact for people affected by dementia.
• Trusted expert: We’re listening, we’re learning and we use experience and evidence.
• Better together: We’re open, we combine our strengths and we achieve more together.
• Compassionate: We’re kind, we’re honest and we don’t shy away from challenges.

Alzheimer’s Society is committed to equal opportunities. Alzheimer’s Society embraces diversity, inclusion and accessibility for all of our people. We are committed to building a diverse organisation that represents the communities we serve and ensuring inclusion in everything we do. This means ensuring our recruitment processes are barrier-free and as inclusive as possible to everyone. We will look at making reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability or long-term condition.