Minds Together
Huinga Huatau
Keen to join as a uni student buddy? Register your interest below to let us know you’re keen for the next round!
What is Minds Together?
Minds Together is a new initiative that was piloted in 2023 in collaboration with Alzheimers Otago. The programme pairs uni students with people who have early-stage dementia. Minds Together provides provides participants with meaningful connection and fun while visiting different university departments and chatting over kai.
The programme runs on campus for up to eight weeks over each semester. Each session is two hours long and involves an activity at a university department as well as morning tea with hot drinks and some yum food.
“My husband loved the interaction with the students, it was very stimulating for him and great fun. Highlight of his week”
Buddies
The role of buddies is to hang out and foster friendships with the people with dementia and help them have a great time! If you’re interested in being a buddy register your interest above! If you register your interest we’ll email you when applications open for the next round. Once applications close, we’ll notify you via email to invite you for an interview. If successful, you will need to be available for a training session, where buddies are provided training and education on dementia and working with people with dementia. This role also requires a background check via the Proctor’s office, any concerns regarding this please email us.
Time commitment
The sessions in Semester 2, 2024 are Fridays from 10 am to 12 noon. Each session is two hours, the first hour for kai and socialising and the second hour for the activity. Only apply if you can commit to ALL the sessions. The total time commitment across the semester is 18 hours total.
2 hour training and education session
Eight x 2 hour sessions
Session dates for semester two 2024: Friday 10 am - 12 pm
Training: 26 July
Session 1: 2 August
Session 2: 9 August
Session 3: 16 August
Session 4: 23 August
Session 5: 13 September
Session 6: 20 September
Session 7: 27 September
Session 8: 4 October
If you have any further questions feel free to flick an email to volunteer@otago.ac.nz
“Loved talking to the older people. I had such a good time getting to know them. Took me right out of my uni brain and I had such a good time hanging out with them and the group”
