It was wonderful spending the day with Irene and sharing our passion for football by watching our rival teams – Leicester City and Chelsea – play each other. We had so many laughs together.
Fiona and Irene really hit it off when they met up, after being brought together by an online matching service. But if this sounds like the makings of a great first date, the relationship is actually far more complex than you might expect.
They were partnered up by Side by Side, an innovative matching service that we at the Alzheimer’s Society are launching today, which is designed to connect volunteers to someone with dementia.
Side by Side is a completely new approach to volunteering. From joining a local club, going to football matches or just heading out for a stroll together in the park, the app pairs up people with dementia and volunteers with shared interests. A third of people with dementia lose friends after their diagnosis, and nearly two thirds who live on their own feel lonely. We know that one of the most important things for those affected is to remain part of their community and continue to do the things they love. By taking part in activities with the support of a volunteer with similar interests, they can continue with their hobbies – or even find new ones.
My team set up the service which was particularly important to me after seeing my granddad’s experiences with dementia. As his condition deteriorated, he became increasingly confused; he didn’t know whether he had just arrived at church or was leaving it. Although he had great relationships with all the people at his local church, they had limited resources to support him. The moment he had to stop doing something he had done his whole life broke his heart. If a service like Side by Side had been available, he wouldn’t have had to stop.
Side by Side has got off to a promising start. There are almost 2,000 people with dementia waiting to be paired up and we are urgently calling for more volunteers.
What makes this volunteer programme different is the flexibility. Side by Side is designed so that almost anyone can volunteer. It is flexible, so meeting up can be easily arranged around work and family, and a telephone service is also available for those with more limited time.
I was so convinced of the merits of the scheme that I decided to put my money where my mouth is. Despite having a busy lifestyle, doing a job I love and running around after three kids, I signed up as a volunteer. My Side by Side partner, who has Alzheimer’s, shares my healthcare background and love of gardening. I’d always wanted to learn how to grow my own vegetables and now that I’ve met Maggie,I know how to do this.
Maggie isn’t just a volunteering project; she’s a friend. Her daughter told me that it was the first time she has seen her mum smile in a long time.
Kathryn Smith is director of operations at Alzheimer’s Society. More information about volunteering for Side by Side or accessing the service can be found here.
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Ditch dating apps but share the love: finding a match for people with dementia
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