Show you care by volunteering for befriending service

Friendly Buddies who are good at listening are being sought as volunteers at a befriending service for those living with dementia.

The Renfrewshire branch of Alzheimer Scotland, in Paisley’s Riccartsbar Avenue, is keen to recruit people aged 18 and over to visit sufferers in their own homes and even take them out and about.

Rea Karnowski, Alzheimer Scotland’s volunteer coordinator in Paisley, said: “The befriending service has just started up again.

“We are looking for volunteers to give up one to two hours a week or a fortnight to visit someone living with dementia who may be lonely or isolated, to help them reconnect with people or places in their community.”

Some dementia sufferers live alone and do not have access to formal help, Rea added.

“A lot of people may be in the early stages of dementia and it’s just about giving them that little bit of confidence to maybe take a walk round the park or go to a cafe and have a chat,” she said.

Alzheimer Scotland tries to link up befrienders based on common interests. “We try and make a partnership based on their interests and availability,” Rea said.

“So, in the past people have done some jigsaws or some arts and crafts in the befriender’s house.

“Other times, they would go out to one of our dementia groups and they would escort the person along.

“Befrienders are ideally community- minded people who are friendly and chatty.

“They needn’t have experience, but must be patient and understanding.

“They should be up for forming a friendship with somebody to maintain their social interest.

“We offer a full induction and there is further training available through Alzheimer Scotland if they want to learn more about dementia.”

She added: “So long as you are friendly and up for a bit of a challenge, you really don’t need that many skills other than being a people person.

“We don’t ask you to give a lot of time, but we do ask for a regular commitment because routine is important to all our service users.”

If you are interested in becoming a befriender, call Rea on 0141 887 1289 or email rkarnowski@alzscot.org