What is a Dementia Friends Ambassador?

A Dementia Friends Ambassador is an Alzheimer’s Society volunteer who encourages others to make a positive difference to people living with dementia in their community. They do this by running Dementia Friends Sessions and giving participants information about the personal impact of dementia, and what they can do to help. 

What does a Dementia Friends Ambassador do?

The Dementia Friends Ambassador role raises awareness and changes attitudes about dementia through delivering Dementia Friends Sessions. Through these sessions, they inspire participants to make changes to support people living with dementia. They also share Alzheimer’s Society’s information so people know we’re here for them. 

Practically, this means delivering Dementia Friends Sessions (either virtually and/or face to face). The sessions last for about an hour and are interactive and engaging for the attendees. There are also opportunities for volunteers to get involved in a variety of other activities depending on their interests and availability. This could include giving talks to thank supporters, attending events and getting involved in campaigning.

Each Dementia Friends Ambassador has a local dedicated volunteer manager, who is there to support them throughout their volunteering journey. They will have regular catch ups with them individually, as well as providing opportunities for peer support. The volunteer manager can also assist in finding sessions to deliver and will provide other activities and keep them up to date with everything they need to know. The volunteer will also be provided access to all the resources they need to be a successful Dementia Friends Volunteer.

The role is an official Alzheimer’s Society volunteer, with all the additional benefits this brings, like access to our e-learning and invites to local and national Society events.

How do I become a Dementia Friends Ambassador?

We recruit new Dementia Friends Ambassadors periodically. All current volunteering opportunities will be posted on the Alzheimer's Society Volunteering webpage. Please contact dementiafriends@alzheimers.org.uk for more information.

Hear what some of our Dementia Friends Ambassadors said about being a volunteer

“I spread the word to people of all ages who maybe don’t know what dementia is, or don’t know much about it, and I explain it in a way they can understand." - Jan

"I’m proud to be able to shine a light on something people might not yet be clued up about. It is so important to reach younger people. To be able to prevent the stigma before it even arrives is a powerful and special place to be. Sharing information that can help people is a really privileged place to be and it helps drive my passion." - Mel

Read more stories from our Dementia Friends Ambassadors on our Stories page.