JEWISH CARE

 
General Butterfly Volunteer

Isaacs Day Centre for people living with Dementia,

Golders Green

Role Summary: The Isaacs Centre, opening in October 2026, is a warm and welcoming Day Centre for people living with mild to moderate memory impairment or dementia. Members enjoy a varied programme of stimulating activities that support wellbeing, independence and social connection.

As a General ‘Butterfly’ Volunteer, you'll join our friendly team, supporting staff with activities, spending time with members, welcoming them in the mornings, serving refreshments and lunch, and helping with the day-to-day running of the centre. Your support will help create a positive, engaging and welcoming environment where members can enjoy a meaningful and fulfilling day.

Time Commitment:  Monday–Thursday, 9.00am–3.00pm. Volunteers are welcome to support on one or more regular days each week, depending on your availability.

 If you're not able to commit to a full day but would still like to volunteer at the Issacs centre, we may be able to work with you to find a suitable pattern, depending on availability. Where possible, we ask volunteers to include lunchtime, one of the busiest and most valuable times to support the team and our members.

How this role makes a difference:
As a General Butterfly Volunteer, you'll help create a warm, welcoming and engaging environment where members feel valued, supported and connected. From chatting over a cup of tea to helping with activities and mealtimes, your support enables the team to spend more quality time with members, enriching their day and enhancing their overall experience at the Issacs Centre. For many people living with dementia, coming to the centre is highly stimulating and meaningful, and also provides important respite for family carers, offering members opportunities for social interaction, sensory engagement, and participation in enjoyable activities that support wellbeing, confidence, and independence.

What you’ll be doing in this role:

• Greeting and welcoming members at the arrival drop off point and escorting into the centre to start their day.
• Assisting around the centre as needed and ensuring the members are enjoying themselves, are engaged, and are getting a good experience in the centre.
• Assisting at mealtimes, setting tables for lunch, serving lunch and refreshments, and helping to clear away afterwards.
• Chatting and socialising with members, ensuring they have a poisitive experience and feel welcomed
• Supporting activities, as well as setting up and tidying away as needed.
• Working with the Centre Coordinator and staff about what is needed on the day
• Always being sensitive to members’ capabilities to ensure they are supported whilst empowered to order and eat food as independently as possible. 
• Treating what you see and hear as confidential and sensitive. 
• Keeping staff up to date with how your volunteering has gone and promptly reporting anything of concern.    

Skills & experience required:

• Calm, friendly and patient, with a non-judgmental attitude
• An understanding of issues that affect people in later life, in particular those living with dementia (specialist training will be provided).
• Confidently engage with a diverse range of people and enjoy helping others.  
• Awareness of the importance of dietary and other needs and requirements in a person-centred care environment. 
• Reliability, consistency and dependability.  
• Ability to communicate, good listening skills with a clear speaking voice.  
• The ability to work proactively but also stay within the role’s boundaries – recognising what should and shouldn’t be done and when to seek advice or report concerns. 

Induction, Learning & Development:
Relevant volunteer training is provided so that volunteers can carry out their roles to the highest professional standards, develop new skills, build confidence, make new friends and take on new and increasingly responsible tasks. 

Benefits of Volunteering with Jewish Care:

Without our volunteers, we simply couldn’t function.  We absolutely depend on you.  Whatever your age, disability, whether you are working, unemployed or retired, there are opportunities to help at Jewish Care.

As well as helping others you’ll get the chance to develop skills, build confidence and make new friends.

• Enhance the lives of older people, making a real difference to the Jewish Community we support.
• Be part of a great team and make new friends.
• Build your confidence and develop transferable skills.
• Access to a comprehensive training programme designed for the social care environment.
• Gain valuable experience and enhance your CV
  
  

We work hard to ensure that every volunteer to have a rewarding and enjoyable experience, making the most of their unique skills while having a positive impact on the people and communities we support.

Why get involved with Jewish Care?
The work of Jewish Care and the services we provide to our community are vital.  We touch the lives of 10,000 people each week, with everything we do being underpinned by our Jewish values and ethics.  We provide services to:

• Older people
• People with Mental Health needs
• Holocaust Survivors
• People who are living with Dementia
• People with physical and sensory disabilities
• People who care for others

We can only do this thanks to our amazing professional staff of 1,400 and the 3,000 dedicated volunteers who help make our work possible.

This is a voluntary position that supports the work or our services and is not replacing the work of a paid member of staff.  This role does not form any part of any contract of employment.

If you have any questions at all about volunteering with Jewish Care or would like to discuss this, or look into other roles, please contact: 

volunteering@jcare.org or telephone 020 8922 2405.