Creating a difference through volunteering

A meaningful program for everyone involved

Every Tuesday afternoon, laughter fills the room at Westwood YMCA Minds in Motion program — and for volunteer Christine Churchill, it’s a highlight of her week.

A retired principal and teacher, Christine spends her Tuesday afternoons connecting with people living with dementia and their care partners. She listens to their stories, shares in their laughter and offers encouragement when the week has been difficult.

After each session, she’s reminded just how meaningful these afternoons are to the Alzheimer Society volunteers and staff, as well as those navigating dementia.

“Minds in Motion is such an essential program,” says Christine. “It gives participants a chance to move their bodies, to enjoy new and familiar games, and to interact with others who understand what they’re going through.”

Christine’s passion for volunteering with Minds in Motion comes from her personal experience with dementia.

In 2010, Christine’s father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. At the time, she was living and working in the United States. After her father’s diagnosis, Christine moved to Winnipeg to be closer to him and became one of his primary care partners and power of attorney alongside her two brothers. Together, they navigated medical decisions, transitions into personal care homes, and many legal challenges and financial responsibilities.

When Christine retired in 2022, she wanted to use her experiences to help other families living with dementia. She was familiar with programs and initiatives of the Alzheimer Society and was particularly drawn to the Minds in Motion program.

“One of the things about this program that stood out to me is the balance between physical exercise and social connection – covering a range of brain health benefits for people living with dementia,” Christine says.

Volunteering with Minds in Motion

Volunteers play an important role in helping the program run smoothly. Part of Christine’s role is to sit beside the trainer and demonstrate seated or adapted versions of the exercises so participants can follow along comfortably.

Through her time volunteering, Christine has gained a deeper understanding of how dementia affects each person differently.

“Something I’ve learned through volunteering is how diverse dementia is,” she says. “One of the symptoms I wasn’t aware of was how physical coordination can be impacted.”

For her, the most meaningful moments often come from simple conversations.

“Sometimes I’ll ask a participant or care partner, ‘How was your week?’ and they suddenly let everything out,” she says. “In those moments, it’s about listening and reassuring them that they’re not alone.”

Equally important to Christine, however, is the opportunity to hear the stories and viewpoints shared during coffee or game time. “It is both inspiring and enlightening to hear about the life experiences of participants and to recognize the contributions they have made to our community,” she says. “I’m frequently reminded to seek opportunities to keep learning, sharing and laughing in my own life.”

These small interactions and connections can make a big difference for both participants and their care partners.

“It’s not unusual to have someone say, ‘You’ve made a real difference in my mom’s life this week,’ or ‘Thank you for everything you’ve done for us,’” Christine says. “In your mind, as a volunteer, all you’ve done is pour a cup of coffee or demonstrate how to play bean bag toss. But in reality, you’ve done so much more.”

“You don’t always realize the true impact you can have,” she adds. “But simply spending a few hours with people can mean the world to them… and to you.”