We love to recognise the achievements of our amazing Dementia Friends Ambassadors, and today it’s time to celebrate Alan Richardson and Brian Standring.
Alan has been a Dementia Friends Ambassador (previously known as Champion) for an incredible ten years, and Brian for nine. Both became Dementia Friends before they started volunteering, and they have made over 2,500 Dementia Friends between them!
Their role manager, Dementia Friends Engagement Officer, Wendi, chatted with Alan and Brian about their experience as volunteers:
What has inspired you to be a volunteer for Dementia Friends for ten years?
Alan: When I became a Dementia Friends Champion, I had no idea that a very special stage of my journey was about to happen. The people that I did sessions for not only wanted more, but also to hear my story, and invites came for me to attend events and sit on panels too.
This also led to me being invited by the Local Services Manager for me to become a Local Volunteer Representative and other involvements both locally and nationally.
What is it about your volunteering role you particularly enjoy?
Alan: I enjoy the variety of involvement and being made to feel welcome, also being able to support the team across Alzheimer’s Society, many of whom have become friends too.
My journey with dementia caring started in 1995, and with volunteering, first with a carers organisation in 2009, leading through to now.
What has inspired you to be a volunteer for Dementia Friends for nine years?
Brian: I've been a family carer for a dear friend, since 2011 until 2019. I found the Society remotely in 2013 and as a volunteer when I became a Dementia Friend in 2014. Like many hundreds of Society volunteers, my journey first as a carer to volunteer is typical, and why? So, I could do something, anything, however small or even indirect, but something to support those currently living with dementia and their care partners.
I must add a vital dimension to answering this question. In the last few years, I have seen the Society grow and change almost out of all recognition. The Society has added Four Values to our day-to-day work. One of our values is close to my heart as a volunteers – ‘Better Together’. We are ‘better together’ by being open, combining our strengths, helping us achieve more together and I add, trusting each other a little more. The Society is certainly more of an inclusive workplace, since I came onboard, EDI+b LGBTQIA+, and Lived Experience Networks part of our inclusive recruitment, a strong and vibrant message to those thinking of becoming a volunteer with the Society.
What is about your volunteering role that you particularly enjoy?
Brian: I'm retired, so I have an abundance of time, and I am passionate about volunteering for the Society and the various roles I have undertaken, which include being a Dementia Friends Ambassador, a Companion Calls volunteer, and my time on the Volunteer Advisory Panel (VAP).
During this ten-year period, I have enjoyed my work immensely, have worked with some extraordinary and lovely individuals, both staff and volunteers, and have had the privilege of being part of the Society's new journey, their Help and Hope Strategy and driving through the four values.
Brian has also been working with the Marine Conservation Society to encourage them to make their beach cleans more accessible to people with dementia by becoming Dementia Friends – another example of the huge impact volunteers can make!
The Dementia Friends team want to thank you both for your commitment, dedication and enthusiasm for the programme. We also recognise that you both have or have had many volunteering roles, so a great big thank you from everyone at Alzheimer's Society!
If you’d like to share your story with us, do get in touch with your Dementia Friends Engagement Officer.
