Reminiscence Activity Facilitator - Leeds, United Kingdom - M&S Archive

Description

Reminiscence Activity Facilitator - Freelance Opportunity


Role Overview

To enhance the lives of older people and people with dementia, by delivering in-person reminiscence sessions in care settings across Leeds and the surrounding area, using objects from the M&S Archive's handling collection.

Background

The M&S Archive in Leeds contains over 72,000 objects telling the story of M&S, from the first stall on Kirkgate Market to one of the UK's leading retailers.

The collection is full of treasures that can evoke memories and encourage conversations.

There is evidence that reminiscence therapy using objects and images to recall memories and stimulate conversation can improve mood, wellbeing and memory in people with dementia.

We have developed a successful community outreach programme using objects carefully selected for our Handling Collection.

We provide free online reminiscence resources and offer free guided exhibition visits for groups from care settings and memory cafes.

Pre-Covid, we offered an external outreach programme, delivering reminiscence sessions to groups in community care settings in the Leeds area - a service we're hoping to re-instate.

Freelancer Requirement

Format of sessions

Reminiscence sessions can take two forms:

• A small group sit round a table, you will sit with them, pass items round and encourage conversation about each item.
• A larger group sit in a room, you will stand at the front, holding items up to introduce them, then passing items round.

You will always have the support of care setting staff whilst delivering sessions.


Training, resources and admin

All bookings and initial care setting contact will be made by the Outreach Officer at the M&S Archive, in consultation with you, to arrange dates and times that suit all parties.

Full training on delivering reminiscence sessions, and the objects used, will be given by the team at M&S Archive. If you haven't already undertaken Dementia Friends training, you'll need to undertake either an in-person or virtual training session.

To deliver the sessions, you will be given an M&S Archive Memory Box containing original vintage garments and accessories, as well as image packs.

We expect to start taking bookings in September once training has taken place. The project will run to the end of March 2024, with the potential to be extended


Budget and Payment

The successfully appointed freelancer will be set up as a supplier on the M&S payment system and full instruction on submitting invoices will be given.

Payment will be £150 per activity session, plus £250 for a day's training at the M&S Archive in Leeds (on a mutually convenient date in August/September).

How to apply

• Details of previous relevant experience working with older people and those living with dementia.
• Details of any previous relevant experience of working with heritage collections.
• Details of any previous relevant experience of working in care settings.
• Whether you hold an Enhanced DBS certificate.
• Confirmation that you have access to a suitably insured vehicle.
• Your typical availability to deliver sessions on weekdays.

Applicants will be notified by Thursday 27thAugust.

Interviews will be held week commencing 31stAugust.


Job Types:
Part-time, Temporary, Contract

Contract length: 6 months

Part-time hours: 2 per week


Salary:
Up to £300.00 per week


Work Location:
In person

Application deadline: 24/07/2023