The Alzheimer Society of B.C. is in urgent need of volunteers to keep one of its popular support programs in Delta going.

At Minds in Motion, attendees take part in gentle exercises followed by social activities designed to be enjoyed in pairs. The social and fitness program is designed specifically for people living with any form of early-stage dementia to attend with a family member, friend or other care partner.

The program is supported by society staff and volunteers who help participants, assist with set-up and clean-up of refreshments, facilitate games and activities, and connect with participants, ensuring everyone is included.

鈥淰olunteers are partners in the experience,鈥� Mary Beth Rutherford, a Minds in Motion co-ordinator with the society, said in a press release. 鈥淭hey are ambassadors in the community. The program has been able to expand because we have volunteers sharing their experience.鈥�

鈥淰olunteers bring the energy up because they really want to be there,鈥� added Lyanne Hui, a program co-ordinator in Richmond. 鈥淭hey make a big difference.鈥�

Celia Toews, who runs the program in Ladner, said she has always known that volunteers make a difference in the lives of people with dementia and their caregivers, but it wasn鈥檛 until a Minds in Motion participant shared their experience with her that she understood how tremendous their impact can be.

鈥淭hey told me that every time they leave a session, they feel like they matter,鈥� Toews said in a press release. 鈥淰olunteers are a vital part of that.鈥�

The society says it urgently needs volunteers for the Ladner program to ensure its continued success, noting each volunteer brings a unique skillset to their role that enriches the experience for participants 鈥� sometimes in ways they might not foresee.

鈥淲e had two Korean-speaking people who were struggling to participate,鈥� Toews said. 鈥淥ne of our volunteers also spoke Korean and was able to talk to them and connect on a deeper level. They taught me a lot about how to connect with someone experiencing a language barrier.鈥�

Anyone interested in volunteering to encouraged to visit . The Alzheimer Society of B.C. offers comprehensive training and ongoing support for volunteers, and requires a minimum six-month commitment of three to four hours per week.

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