Bayside celebrates International Volunteers Day

If there’s one thing that shows Gallery volunteer Loretta Shepherd that volunteering in Bayside is worth it, it’s the clear enjoyment on the faces of the participants of the Connections art and dementia program.

For three years Loretta has given her time to The Gallery and aged care facility participants to look at, and talk about, the handpicked pieces of art on display in Bayside.

Connections is free activity for people living with dementia in aged care facilities - based on the National Gallery of Australia’s Art and Alzheimer’s program - and invites participants to join in weekly art appreciation sessions at The Gallery.

“This is not like a curator talk,” explains Loretta who is just one of Bayside's 400 plus registered volunteers, “it is about giving people an opportunity and time to reflect and connect to the different pieces of work.

“We sit with the participants, in groups of four, and really take the time to listen, value their opinion and discuss the art in whatever way it is meaningful to them,” says Loretta of the weekly sessions, held as part of a four week series.

“Sometime participants talk about the art, sometimes they talk about a life experience that the piece of work reminds them of and sometimes they just enjoy being in a creative environment ,” she says.

With a lifetime love of art and a professional background in art history and curatorship, the decision to become a volunteer at The Gallery was a simple one.

“I first saw the appeal for volunteers on an art blog that I subscribe to and it seemed like a perfect fit – and it was.

“It is extremely rewarding to be a part of improving someone else’s life and brings a whole lot of pleasure to my life,” she explains.

“Bayside can really be proud of the exhibitions they have.  This is a wonderful environment to be in,” says Loretta who gives about half a day per week to the program when it is operating throughout the year.

“The outcomes can be truly amazing,” shares Loretta “We had one person who became an active contributor to the surprise of the accompanying carer who said he rarely spoke.

Connections, held each week at The Gallery at Bayside Art and Cultural Centre in Carpenter St Brighton, operates for one hour and is part of a four session series. 

Loretta is one of five volunteers at The Gallery currently involved in the Connections art and dementia program.

Bayside City Council has over 400 registered volunteers who collectively contribute 1500 hours of service per month.

Our volunteers work in a range of areas from Aged and Disability Services, Youth Services, Arts and Culture, Community Wellbeing, Environmental Sustainability and Open Space to Library Services.

If you have an interest in becoming a Bayside volunteer contact https://www.bayside.vic.gov.au/volunteering.

For more information about Connections at The Gallery go to https://www.bayside.vic.gov.au/connections-art-and-dementia-program.