Amazing Grace: a young volunteer making a real difference

Why Grace joined Dementia Voice

"I’m 17 and joined the Alzheimer’s Society as a volunteer for the Dementia Voice Group in the West Midlands. I talk, listen and write up notes on members views on lots of subjects that will make a difference to people living with dementia.

Finding the perfect volunteering role

I was doing some work experience and came across a section on elderly medicine, and I saw Alzheimer’s. It was briefly mentioned, and I was curious as I didn’t know about it. There was a statistic about one in three people would develop it in their lifetime. I knew nothing about this so went and did some online research and found Alzheimer’s Society and stumbled across the perfect volunteering role for me, which was the dementia voice group.

Learning all about dementia

This is my first time volunteering. And it was so easy actually. As soon as I applied for the role Rachel and Heather reached out to me and immediately helped me with every question I had and set up an interview. Rachel and Heather are just the loveliest, most helpful people… I expected to turn up to the interview and it would be intimidating but it wasn’t at all. When I attended the session, I was just so welcomed and included and it was just surprising, but nice.

There are so many aspects to Alzheimer’s. It’s like an umbrella for a load of different conditions and I’ve been learning all about that. But, more than just my own education, I learned so much from the people at the sessions and it’s been so lovely to hear their stories; it gives me a good feeling when I come out of the sessions. I realise these people with Alzheimer’s are so much more than the condition. It’s been a big eye opener to me how Alzheimer’s isn’t just this scary condition; you can live with it and be happy. It doesn’t define the people when I’m speaking to them. It’s just, wow! This person’s done this, and they’re so funny. We laugh a lot in the sessions, they are open and honest.

Developing new skills through volunteering

I’ve already told my friends so much, but mostly I tell them it’s about the people I meet and the stories I hear. A few years ago, I would never have done a one-to-one conversation with someone as I was too shy. I've taken the skills I've learnt through my volunteering, because I'm not as afraid to start a conversation with people anymore."

I want to do this for as long as I can. And even when I go to university, I want to continue volunteering in any way that I can help, because it's just such a wonderful cause.