Session volunteer - Bath Aphasia Choir
Voices of Aphasia
Helping to support people with communication difficulties after stroke to sing together.
The Bath Aphasia Choir is run by music therapists and supports people with aphasia (communication difficulties after stroke or brain injury) and their loved ones to sing together. We meet weekly on Wednesday afternoons in term time, but you would not have to commit to every session. Our fantastic volunteers (some of whom are carers for members of the choir) help with setting up the room, welcoming members, making and serving refreshments, collecting donations and facilitating conversations between our members. We are also keen to hear from volunteers who could play alongside the choir, help with admin between sessions and people with an eye for photography and videography. This role would be particularly of interest for volunteers interested in music therapy, speech and language therapy or stroke rehabilitation.
Advice, Information & Support,Art & Design,Befriending, Buddying & Mentoring,Caring,Catering,Community Work,IT, Technology & Websites,Counselling,Driving (must have full driving licence),Entertainment,Languages & Translation,Marketing, PR & Media,Events & Stewarding,First Aid,Music,Support Work,General & Helping,Advocacy, Community Volunteer Service Banes volunteers
Basic IT skills - internet & email, Cleaning & Tidying, Counselling, Language Skills, Communications, Interpersonal, Empathy, Flexibility, Team Working
You would need to feel confident in supporting adult stroke survivors and carers/family members, but training can be given around aphasia and supported conversation so direct experience is not required. Volunteers will need to be patient, open and empathetic and have good listening skills. An interest in singing and music would be helpful but enthusiasm is key! We welcome volunteers with lived experience of stroke, brain injury, communication difficulties, disability, caring and neurodivergence.
You will have the chance to meet and support an amazing group of talented singers, who find talking and communicating difficult but can sing and learn songs brilliantly. Our choir is internationally known and we regularly perform in and around Bath and has been covered on local and national TV and radio. Evidence shows that singing in a group can raise mood and reduce stress levels. Our warm up exercises can help to strengthen and maintain your speaking and singing voice and alongside the choir members you will learn new songs and sing familiar ones. You can learn more about stroke and aphasia, music therapy and speech and language therapy. There may be opportunities in future to get involved in the running of our charity, Voices of Aphasia, as a Trustee.
2.5 hours per week (1.30 - 4.00 pm) on Wednesday afternoons in term time. Occasional performances outside of this time (usually Saturday afternoons twice per year). Please do apply even if you would not be able to attend every session.
BA2 5QA
St Andrew's Community Church Hawthorn Grove, Foxhill, Bath
The church is a modern building and the choir meets in the main church hall (to the right as you enter) Buses stop nearby on Hawthorn Grove and Bradford Road (near the small parade of shops).
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