The impact of volunteering on the volunteer: findings from a peer support programme for family carers of people with dementia

Abstract

With an ageing population, there are increasing numbers of experienced family carers (FCs) who could provide peer support to newer carers in a similar care situation. The aims of this paper are to: (i) use a cross-sectional study design to compare characteristics of volunteers and recipients of a peer support programme for FCs of people with dementia, in terms of demographic background, social networks and psychological well-being; and (ii) use a longitudinal study design to explore the overall impact of the programme on the volunteers in terms of psychological well-being. Data were collected from programmes run in Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Berkshire and four London boroughs between October 2009 and March 2013. The volunteer role entailed empathic listening and encouragement over a 10-month period. Both carer support volunteers (N = 87) and recipient FCs (N = 109) provided baseline demographic information. Data on social networks, personal growth, self-efficacy, service use and well-being (SF-12; EuroQol Visual Analogue Scale; Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; Control, Autonomy, Self-Realisation, Pleasure-19) were collected prior to the start of the intervention (N = 43) and at either 3- to 5 month or 10 month follow-up (N = 21). Volunteers were more likely than recipients of support to be female and to have cared for a parent/grandparent rather than spouse. Volunteers were also more psychologically well than support recipients in terms of personal growth, depression and perceived well-being. The longitudinal analysis identified small but significant declines in personal growth and autonomy and a positive correlation between the volunteers' duration of involvement and perceived well-being. These findings suggest that carers who volunteer for emotional support roles are resilient and are at little psychological risk from volunteering.

Volunteer peer support and befriending for carers of people living with dementia: An exploration of volunteers’ experiences

“…While the current research and other studies before it (Burr, Hwang Han, & Tavares, ; Cattan et al., ; Charlesworth et al., ; Harris & Thoresen, ; Kahana et al., ) have shown there to be a number of consistently reported mental and physical health benefits to volunteering generally, the lack of understanding of the negative impacts on volunteers is worthy of further research. A study by Greenwood et al.…”

“…While the current research and other studies before it (Burr, Hwang Han, & Tavares, 2015;Cattan et al, 2011;Charlesworth et al, 2016;Harris & Thoresen, 2005;Kahana et al, 2013) have shown there to be a number of consistently reported mental and physical health benefits to volunteering generally, the lack of understanding of the negative impacts on volunteers is worthy of further research. A study by Greenwood et al (2013) investigating peer support reported similar findings to those described here, with volunteers discussing challenges such as reliving difficult experiences, fear of rejection by carers and becoming emotionally drained.…”

“…Research focussing on peer support shows volunteers find their role as satisfying by 'giving something back' to current carers that they gain emotionally from the 'two-way' nature of support and gain valuable new skills (Greenwood, Habibi, Mackenzie, Drennan, & Easton, 2013). Additionally, Charlesworth et al (2016) showed volunteers who remained peer supporters the longest reported the most improvements in self-rated health. However, a recent systematic review found limited evidence for the impact on volunteers or about their experiences of delivering peer support or befriending to carers of people with dementia (Smith & Greenwood, 2014a).…”

“…Additionally, Charlesworth et al. () showed volunteers who remained peer supporters the longest reported the most improvements in self‐rated health. However, a recent systematic review found limited evidence for the impact on volunteers or about their experiences of delivering peer support or befriending to carers of people with dementia (Smith & Greenwood, ).…”

The diversity of befriending by, and of, older people

“…A recent study of a befriending service for carers of people with dementia in which most of the befrienders recruited were former carers found many elements in common, although the volunteers were more likely to be female (Charlesworth et al, 2016). Burnell et al (2015) also found that most of those consulted about the workings of such a service expressed a view that 'standard scripts' were inappropriate and that listening was the most valued activity to offer.…”