Volunteers

Interested in Volunteering for Alcester Café?

What is Alcester Café?
Alcester Café is a drop in café which takes place every Tuesday and Friday morning from 10.30 – 12.30. We offer support for people with dementia, their carers, families and former carers.

What will I have to do?
Alcester Café has volunteers who help in the kitchen or in the main café (front). If you only want to help in the kitchen that is fine, otherwise you can volunteer for both!

Helping in the kitchen involves
• setting up the tea and coffee, biscuits and cakes
• making the drinks on request.
• clearing up (there is a dishwasher) and leave the kitchen in a tidy state.

Full instructions are given and there are always 2 people helping in the kitchen each session.

Helping in the main café involves:
• greeting the members as they arrive
• helping them with their coats etc
• guiding them to where they would like to sit.
• Offering them tea or coffee and bringing it to them.
• You can then chat with them, play games etc.

Alcester Cafe also has talks / entertainment which you can listen to / join in with if you like.

You do not have to stay with the same person/ people all the time. Move around, meet everyone!

The important thing is to be aware that new arrivals are welcomed, that no one is left alone and to make sure everyone enjoys the cafe.

Commitment

A minimum of 3 hours once a month is the norm (ie one session) although you can come along to as many sessions as you want! Let us know your availability/preferences for your main session.

Rotas are drawn up 3 monthly in advance and if you can’t make one then you can swap with someone else.
Volunteers need to be at the Eric Payne Centre from 10am on the day they are on duty to help with setting up tables and chairs or setting up the kitchen. You are expected to help with clearing everything away at the end too but we are normally finished before 1pm.

Training
Optional training is available throughout the year. If you are interested then you can join in. Its free of charge!

Still interested?
Do come to the café and see who we are and what we do. Then speak to Eileen, Carole or one of the other volunteers to find out more. Still interested….Fill in your details on one of our contact forms, available at the cafe, and give it to Carole or Eileen.

You will be helping your community!