VOLUNTEERS are needed to help people suffering from dementia.

Housing association Contour Homes run memory cafes at sheltered housing schemes to support residents who are living with the disease, but it needs more volunteers to continue the service.

The memory cafes take place once a month to support people living with dementia, as well as their carers, family and friends, and volunteers are needed to help run the sessions, organise activities and lend a friendly ear to residents.

All volunteers are given full training for the role.

One such volunteer who supports the scheme is 54-year-old Karen Crook, who started volunteering at Crompton Court in Little Lever after she became unemployed last year.

She says she found the sessions rewarding, helping her to gain the confidence to return to work.

Karen, a grandmother of two, said: "I used to be a carer, but sadly the girl I’d looked after for six years passed away.

“It was a really difficult time for me. I needed a break from the intensity of caring every day and some time to deal with my grief. I wanted to stay sharp though so thought volunteering would be ideal.

"I was a bit nervous to begin with but with the full support of the scheme manager who put me at ease, I was soon interacting with the tenants.

“Listening was a big part of the job. People with dementia — their memories might not be the best but they’ve got brilliant stories to tell about their lives."

After a few months volunteering at the cafe, Karen gained enough confidence to start applying for paid work and recently began a new job as a school catering assistant.

Karen, from Bolton, added: "I’m really enjoying it — although I do miss the cafes. If I could still volunteer there I would. If you feel you can make a difference to someone’s quality of living and you have the time to do it, there’s no better thing in life.”

The cafes were set up last year after Contour Homes teamed up with Making Space as part of its ongoing commitment to being a dementia-friendly organisation.

For more information email mail@contourhomes.co.uk or call 0345 602 1120.