Side by Side Volunteer - Dogs for Good - Bristol

Want to use your interpersonal skills to enable people living with dementia to keep doing the things they love?

Side by Side Bristol is teaming up with Dogs for Good to offer a volunteering opportunity, which includes free dog training. If your dog loves people and you can spare an hour a week to bring company to someone with dementia, we'd love to hear from you.

As a Side by Side volunteer you'll need to commit to an hour of time per week (flexible to you), for a minimum of six months. You’ll visit the same person with dementia each week and be supported by the coordinator throughout.

The training with Dogs for Good will involve coming to a series of free weekly training classes with your dog, for a period of 6-8 weeks. These are held on Thursdays 2-3pm at Lyde Green Community Centre, Emersons Green, Bristol BS16 7GW.

We will hold an information session online on Thursday 10th July 2025.

You’ll be great for the role if:

• You want to support, enable and empower people living with dementia
• You are a good verbal communicator with great listening skills, especially face to face
• You are happy volunteering on your own and keeping in touch with your team
• You can provide a committed, flexible approach and are willing to learn new skills
• You are over the age of 18

Your dog may be suited if:

• Your dog is confident and relaxed around people and enjoys meeting new people, and greets people calmly and politely. Your dog will be at least 12 months of age when you plan to start volunteering
• Your dog is fully vaccinated (or titre tested) and is in good health
• Your dog is confident and relaxed around other dogs and shows no signs of guarding

Unfortunately at this stage we are unable to accept dogs that are fed on a raw diet as advised by the Royal College of Nursing.

You will need to be able to attend our information session and training classes and pass an assessment before volunteering with your dog. 

About Dogs for Good

Dogs for Good trains dogs to support people living with disabilities, dementia, autism, and other conditions, including mental health challenges—helping them lead happier, healthier, and more independent lives. These are dogs that open doors, foster connections, and bring families closer together.

Please see the website for more information https://www.dogsforgood.org/ 

 This vacancy will close on 23^rd June 2025.

Interested?  To apply for this role please click on the 'Apply' button at the bottom of the page.

If you find completing online applications difficult, please don't let this stop you from applying....please call or email us and we can support you with the application process.  You can contact the Volunteering Support Team by emailing [email protected] or call on 0300 222 5706

This role will be subject to a satisfactory Criminal Records Check from either the Disclosure and Barring Service (England & Wales), Disclosure Scotland Check (Scotland) or AccessNI (Northern Ireland). If you require further information regarding Criminal Records Check, please contact [email protected]

At Alzheimer's Society, we believe passionately that life doesn't end when dementia begins. We are here for anyone affected by dementia, and we do everything we can to keep people with dementia connected to their lives and the people who matter most.

Everything we do is shaped by people affected by dementia. Their knowledge and experience are critical to bringing about real-world solutions. From choosing the most promising research through to telling their stories to raise awareness; they are the heart of this organisation.

Our Values

We are Determined to make a difference when and where it matters most, by being passionate, focussed and making a lasting impact for people affected by dementia.

Every one of us is a Trusted expert, listening, learning and using evidence and experience. We are Better together by being open, combining our strengths, helping us to achieve more together. We are Compassionate, we are kind and honest, and we don’t shy away from challenges.

Through our values we will make the greatest difference for people affected by dementia.

Equal Opportunities

We want everyone we work with, as a colleague, volunteer, supporter, or someone we support, to feel included and that they belong at Alzheimer's Society.

We are committed to building a diverse organisation that represents the communities we serve and ensuring inclusion in everything we do. During your recruitment process we want to make sure that you bring your whole self and be at your best.

If there is anything further that you would like to know about this role, or any support that you need then please email us at [email protected] and we will be in touch.