It’s Volunteers Week 2019 and we asked some of our most regular party go-ers what motivates them to be involved in the Cocktails project. Thank you all for sharing your stories and for your commitment and dedication to Cocktails! Every single volunteer is important to us. We hope these stories will inspire you and if you are interested in volunteering with us check out our Volunteering section here.
Suzie tells us about her time on the Cocktails project:
“I used to be a Dementia Support Worker and had recently moved to a new role. This meant that I no longer met people affected by dementia on a regular basis, so was looking for something that would ‘scratch that itch’. I was recommended Cocktails in Care Homes by a colleague, and as a cocktail aficionado I instantly knew this was the volunteer opportunity for me! The scheme works because it is very flexible – there are multiple dates each month to choose from, and I like to volunteer at a different party location each time. The timing of parties suits too – they start at 6pm so I can get there after work, and the 7.30pm finish means I still have some time in the evening to myself when I get home (I live out west so all care home locations are a 60-90 minute journey away – not a problem as this means I get plenty of reading done). The party hosts always ensure that the events are fun for all the residents. The themes in particular are really good and I like to try to wear something that fits the theme to help start conversations. Ultimately, the scheme is filling a much-needed social gap for many excluded members of society, and I am proud to boast to people that I volunteer for it.”
Thank you Suzie! We couldn’t do it without you!