Dementia affects the lives of many people. In Oxfordshire there are estimated to be 7,500 people aged over 65 and a further 160 younger people who have dementia.

As well as the effect on those with dementia, there is also often a profound impact on the lives of their family and friends.

Not everyone who has dementia has a diagnosis, and not everyone has sufficient information about dementia or local resources.

This is why The Oxfordshire Dementia Information Line has been created, to offer support and advice to those with dementia and their loved ones, as well as to carers, social and health care professionals. The Oxfordshire Dementia Information Line is contracted by Oxfordshire County Council to the dementia and metal health specialists, Guideposts Trust, and is designed to run in tandem with Oxfordshire’s successful dementia website www.dementiaweboxfordshire.org.uk The information line will be operated by a rota of trained volunteers, under the guidance of Guideposts Trust professional staff. Alongside the support provided by Guideposts Trust, volunteers will draw on information from the website and liase with other colleagues in the dementia field, to guide callers to seek the appropriate input from health and social care as well as point towards other resources such as support groups, clubs etc.

Guideposts Trust are extremely keen to recruit, train and support volunteers to take calls on The Oxfordshire Dementia Information Line. There are also administration and networking opportunities around Oxfordshire to increase the awareness of the new service. Your contribution as a volunteer will help: l Increase awareness and understanding of dementia l Provide a valued local resource l Break down barriers of fear, misunderstanding and stigma about dementia.

If you may be able to give a few hours a week to help provide this important service and are interested in becoming an Oxfordshire Dementia Information Line volunteer or in finding out more about administration and networking opportunities for the Oxfordshire Dementia Information Line, contact Rachel Niblock on 01993 700061 or email rniblock@guidepoststrust.org.uk Voluntary Voice is brought to you by the Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action – www.ocva.org.uk