HOPE Support Group Leader — Volunteer Role
Turn Your Experience Into HOPE. Become a HOPE Dementia Support, Support Group Leader.
HOPE Dementia Support is seeking compassionate, dependable volunteers to help facilitate our ongoing caregiver support groups throughout Southwest Washington and Oregon.
HOPE Support Group Leaders create a welcoming, confidential space where people caring for someone living with dementia can come together, share honestly, learn from one another, and find connection with people who understand the journey.
You do not need to be a medical professional, counselor, or dementia expert to serve in this role. Many of our strongest leaders bring something equally valuable: personal experience.
You may have cared for a spouse, parent, family member, or friend living with dementia. Your caregiving journey may be happening now, or your loved one may have passed. That experience can provide an understanding and empathy that makes a meaningful difference to someone navigating a similar path.
As a HOPE Support Group Leader, you will:
- Welcome participants and help create a safe, inclusive environment
- Facilitate conversation while making space for everyone who wishes to share
- Encourage connection and peer-to-peer support
- Help participants access HOPE resources and educational information
- Maintain participant confidentiality
- Track basic attendance and communicate group needs with HOPE staff
- Help prepare and close the meeting space
- Use basic technology when needed for groups offering a virtual or hybrid option
- Participate in HOPE training and periodic leader meetings
- Become a consistent and trusted presence for your group
Who we're looking for
We're especially interested in people who are compassionate, good listeners, comfortable bringing people together, and able to make a consistent commitment to their group.
Experience with dementia or caregiving is highly valued, as is previous leadership, facilitation, healthcare, social services, education, or community involvement—but formal professional experience is not required.
Training, resources, and ongoing guidance are provided by HOPE.
This is an ongoing volunteer commitment
Support Group Leadership is different from volunteering at a single event. Our groups meet on established schedules, and participants benefit from seeing a familiar, dependable leader who gets to know the group over time.
HOPE has multiple group days, times, and locations, and we'll work with prospective volunteers to explore an opportunity that fits their availability.
Why become a HOPE Support Group Leader?
Because sometimes one of the most valuable things you can offer another caregiver is the knowledge that someone understands.
Your experience can help create a place where people can speak candidly, ask questions, celebrate good days, navigate difficult ones, and build relationships with others walking a similar path.
Your experience has value. Turn it into HOPE.
Interested in learning more?
We'd love to meet you, hear about your experience, and explore whether becoming a HOPE Support Group Leader could be the right volunteer opportunity for you.