Volunteer peer support and befriending for carers of people living with dementia: An exploration of volunteers’ experiences

Abstract

With ageing populations and greater reliance on the voluntary sector, the number of volunteer-led peer support and befriending services for carers of people with dementia in England is set to increase. However, little is known about the experiences of the volunteers who deliver these interventions, many of whom are former carers. Using in-depth semi-structured interviews with 10 volunteer peer supporters and befrienders, this exploratory study investigated volunteers' experiences of delivering the support, the types of relationships they form with carers and their perceptions of its impact upon them and on carers. Data were analysed using framework analysis. Findings showed that volunteers benefitted from their role due to the 'two-way' flow of support. Experiential similarity and having common interests with carers were considered important to the development of mutually beneficial relationships. Volunteers perceived that carers gained emotional and social support, which in turn improved the carers' coping ability. Being able to see positive changes to carers' lives was important for volunteers to gain enjoyment and satisfaction from their role. However, volunteers also identified challenges with their role, such as dealing with carers' emotions. Future research should investigate ways of reducing potential burden on volunteers and explore the impact of volunteering specifically on former carers of people with dementia.

Experiences of sharing, learning and caring: Peer support in a Finnish group of mothers

“…The mothers participating in this study recounted that they were able to express their experiences according to their needs and by defying the idealised expectations that they face (Hays, ). It is noteworthy that the meaning of their common experience emerged through narration (see also Smith et al, ). However, they also indicated that solely sharing an experience of motherhood is not enough.…”

“…Sharing an experience can bring about an understanding that peers cannot otherwise obtain (Borkman, , p. 198–199; Mead, Hilton, & Curtis, , p. 135; Munn‐Giddings & McVicar, , p. 29). Moreover, sharing an experience creates a basis for equal and reciprocal relationships between peers; because they are in the same situation, they are potentially both givers and receivers of support (Smith, Drennan, Mackenzie, & Greenwood, ).…”

Mobilising people as assets for active ageing promotion: A multi-stakeholder perspective on peer volunteering initiatives

“…Participants in this study reported the importance of being very clear and strict about the limits of the volunteer commitment and of communicating this to both volunteers and participants to avoid creating false expectations and dependencies. Not doing that can be emotionally draining for volunteers and negatively impact retention (47).…”

“…The voluntary sector is ideally placed to deliver low-cost and effective interventions and to increase access to disadvantaged populations (15,47). However, there have been few high quality trials evaluating community approaches that mobilise peer volunteers to promote active ageing (40).…”

A Dementia Café as a Bridgehead for Community-Inclusive Care: Qualitative Analysis of Observations by On-the-Job Training Participants in a Dementia Café

“…Although the emerging need for volunteers to be involved in dementia care has been shown, few studies have addressed the significance of those who volunteer to be staff members in dementia cafés [35][36][37][38]. In Japan in particular, which is becoming a super-aged society, it is expected that support from not only health care professionals, but also local volunteers, will be expanded in dementia care, similar to the support by family caregivers for advanced activities such as hobbies [39].…”