Volunteer Music & Singing Assistant (Haywards Care Centre Devizes)

Our residents generally love a sing song and we know that music can be a powerful tool for reminiscence and well being. Our volunteer Music and Singing Assistants bring their passion for music to our homes and the difference they make is huge.

You don’t need to be a musician, or even play an instrument to be a Music and Singing Assistant. The key thing is you’re not afraid to encourage pepole to make some noise. Most of our homes have instruments, from tambourines to pianos and there’s something to play music on in every home. You might have a passion for classical pieces, or maybe you’re a member of a rock choir. Whatever your interest in music we’re keen to hear from you.

You might be helping the home to form its own choir, playing for people's enjoyment or perhaps listening to some common favourites with a small group or one to one.

Our Music and Singing Assistants are part of our Activities Team, supporting the Activity Co-ordinator to get people involved. You’ll be helping to set up music and singing activities, bringing people to the activity from their rooms and chatting to them to get their ideas for future projects. Not everyone feels comfortable expressing themselves, so our Music and Singing Assistants are on hand to help people do the best they can and join in.

You’ll build up relationships with people so ideally, we’d like a regular, longer term commitment of a couple of hours a week. Days and times are flexible; talk to us and we’ll see what suits us both.

Role Boundaries The following boundaries apply to all volunteer roles at the Trust: • All volunteers over 16 years old will require DBS clearance (Criminal Records check) and the Trust will cover the cost. • Volunteers aged between 14 and 16 years old can’t go into residents’ rooms on their own. • There are certain things only carers can do. Volunteers can’t provide personal care for residents. This involves help with dressing, visiting the toilet or eating. • Volunteers can’t support residents in moving, rising or sitting or move residents in wheelchairs until they have completed mandatory moving and handling and wheelchair training. • Volunteers must not hoist a resident • Volunteers should not attempt to give first aid unless qualified to do so. • Volunteers can’t transport residents in their own car. • Volunteers should not give or accept gifts to or from residents, relatives or employees. All gifts offered should be declared to the Home Manager. • Our communications team are responsible for all our media postings. Volunteers should not contact or speak to the media unless asked to by their manager nor should they post anything on social networking sites. • Volunteers should ask their manager before making any decision outside the scope of their role that could affect OSJCT, residents, employees or other volunteers. • Volunteers are not expected to handle complaints or safeguarding issues. They should talk to their manager in the first instance.