Work with us to make a difference
Join our empathetic and committed team to support your community
Could you provide a safe and stimulating place in your home for between two and six guests? Would you like to be well-remunerated while knowing you are making a difference to the older people in your community?
Tapestry Day Club is a not-for-profit social enterprise offering high-quality, small-group day support for people across West Sussex and Surrey. Our service is primarily for those who are socially isolated and living with dementia, as a result perhaps losing confidence socialising in larger groups.
As a host, not only will you be central to your guests, but also you will be involved with their wider family and friends, becoming an important part of their lives.
Working as a host
We are looking for someone who is:
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- Thoughtful and caring.
- Positive with a can-do attitude.
- Committed to promoting people’s independence.
- Dependable and able to work on own initiative.
- Physically fit and emotionally robust.
“What I love most about being a host is that it’s both fulfilling and fun. Knowing you’re making a positive difference to the lives of your guests and their carers is so humbling and uplifting every week”
Katie, our host in Storrington
How you work
- Tapestry Day Clubs operate Tuesdays to Thursdays between 9am and 5pm; you choose which days you would like to welcome between two and six guests into your home.
- You collect your guests from their homes (within an eight-mile radius) from either 9.30am or 10.30am, depending on what suits you best.
- On return to your home, you will serve refreshments in the morning and afternoon (tea, coffee, biscuits/cake) as well as a home-cooked, two-course lunch.
- Providing optional activities is an integral part of our service and can take many forms, depending on the interest of guests, from colouring books to word searches and Jenga. We give guidance to help you provide the best possible selection of
tried-and-tested activities. - From 2.30pm or 3.15pm, you will return your guests to their homes.
- At the end of each club day, you will file a short report on the website portal.
- You will not be expected to provide any personal care.
What you need
- A home with easy access
- A downstairs loo
- A five-door car
- A full driving license
What we can do for you
As an employee, you will enjoy all the benefits that provides, including paid holidays and pension contributions. All our hosts are well remunerated. You will receive an additional food allowance and mileage expenses. We provide ongoing support, mentoring and incentive schemes.
Understanding our guests is a critical part of a host’s role and therefore participation in our dementia support awareness training is a vital.
We provide full training in the following:
- Emergency at Work First Aid
- Food Safety Level II
- Safeguarding Adults
- Awareness of Mental Health, Dementia and Learning Disabilities
- Moving and Assisting of People
- We also conduct an Enhanced DBS check if you don’t have one already
In addition, the founders Clare and Anderley arrange regular, relaxed lunches at their own homes to share ideas, recipes and generally support each other.
Steps to becoming a host
- Contact Clare or Anderley for further information (hosts@tapestrydayclub.co.uk).
- We have an informal chat and answer any questions you may have about the role.
- If you would like to go ahead, complete the application form. We will then visit you and carry out an assessment.
- If we are all happy, after signing a contract to become a TDC host, you will attend training in safeguarding, manual handling, emergency first aid at work, food hygiene and dementia awareness.
- We will also support you in any steps you need to take to prepare your home.
- Finally, you will receive a helpful operational manual, as well as a biography of each guest. And you will be joining a fantastic community of hosts.
“When I tell people what I do, the most common response is ‘oh, how lovely’, and that’s exactly what it is. It’s more than a job. It’s about giving back to a community of people who deserve to get out and have a lovely day. I have the pleasure of being able to provide that. Their smiles at the end of the day are my biggest reward”
Sara, our host in Tisman’s Common
To give you an idea of what is involved in running a club day, our lovely host in Storrington, Katie, took a few video clips.
Do get in touch by either filling in the online form below, emailing hosts@tapestrydayclub.co.uk or calling us on 01403 610345. We look forward to hearing from you.