What’s Involved?

The Western Alzheimer’s Befriending Service matches volunteer Befrienders with a compatible companion who has dementia at the early to moderate stage in the Galway, Mayo, and Roscommon areas. The volunteer befriender typically spends 2-3 hours every week in or outside the family home thus facilitating the primary carer to take a break. The support will range from companionship in the persons home to partaking in shared interests such as going for a walk, going for a coffee, having a chat, playing a game, or looking at old photos.  Continuity of the relationship is of paramount importance and volunteers will be selected partly on their capacity and willingness to make a long-term commitment. 

Full training, induction and support will be provided.

What makes an appropriate match of companionship?

• Befriender fully understands the role – sitting in, offering support and shared interests
• No personal care required
• Has a natural compatibility with the person- similar histories, work experience, politics, from the area etc.
• If possible, Befriender has formal or informal experience of dementia
• A person who ‘wants to give back’

What others have to say about the Befriending Service

Speaking about the service, Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, stated: “On World Alzheimer’s Day 2022″, it is wonderful to celebrate an initiative which has improved the wellbeing of people living with Alzheimer’s in Ireland. For people living with dementia, it is so important that they feel connected with their community, but equally that this community connection continues, and results in reduced stigma around the disease. I’d like to commend the Western Alzheimer’s project and all the volunteer befrienders who have so improved the quality of life of people living with dementia in the region by simply extending their companionship.