Dementia Dining Volunteer

Many patients in hospital are older adults, and a significant number are living with dementia. Being in hospital can sometimes feel confusing or isolating, so friendly interaction and simple activities can make a real difference to a patient’s wellbeing.

At the start of their shift, Dementia Dining Volunteers work in pairs to take the activity trolley around the ward, engaging patients through one to one interaction or small group activities such as bingo, memory cards, music and sensory items. These activities help stimulate conversation and create a calm, sociable environment.

Volunteers will then support patients during mealtimes by offering companionship and gentle encouragement, helping to create a positive and supportive dining experience. By providing both engagement and mealtime support, volunteers help improve patients’ overall experience in hospital.

We are particularly keen to hear from applicants who may be able to support patient activities with singing, dancing, playing musical instruments, hand massage, painting, drawing, or any other ability or skill which can help with patient activities.

Essential Information:

If you are interested in more than 1 role, please submit your application on your initial preference (other roles can be discussed at assessment).

Please kindly note, you will be given a 20-minute assessment on the week commencing the 18th May at Kingston Hospital.

The Mandatory training for this role will be on Thursday 18th  March 2026.

Please only apply if you are able to attend the above dates.

Please can you ensure you provide details for 2 references (one of which you have known for over 3 years) It is essential you provide an email address for each reference when submitting your application. Please note – you can provide a family friend but not a relative.

Please ensure to bring the below I.D documents to your assessment otherwise we will not be able to proceed with your assessment on the day.

A minimum of THREE individual forms of valid, current, and original identification are required. Please bring one document from group one (below) AND two documents from group two (Below):

Group One:

• UK Passport
• EEA/Swiss Passport
• Other passport with indefinite leave to remain
• Other Passport
• Biometric Residence permit
• Driving Licence photo card (UK, IOM or CI)
• Current EU Photo Driving Licence
• EU national identity card - EU only

Group Two:

• Driving Licence photo card (UK, IOM or CI)
• Current EU Photo Driving Licence
• Driving licence - old-style paper licence (must be UK)
• Bank statement (UK/EEA) - less than 3 months old
• Utility bill - less than 3 months old (UK)
• Utility bill - 2nd Supplier - less than 3 months old
• Council Tax Statement – issued in the last 12 months
• Mortgage statement (UK or EEA) must be a recognised lender and issued in the last 12 months.

NB: If you are aged 16 - 19 years, in full time education and you are unable to provide two documents from group 2 above, the following ID options can be used:

• Full UK birth certificate (A4 size original , not photocopy, containing mother and fathers details)

• Letter from head teacher or college principal, confirming you are a student and containing your name, current address and date of birth, PLUS either an official exam certificate in your name or a National Insurance number letter.

If you are unable to or have difficulty in providing the above evidence, please give us a call on 0208 934 3620 / 2549