BrainLive Connect: Volunteer Training Programme

The goal of this mixed method clinical trial is to evaluate whether BrainLive Coach training can enhance knowledge, skills, and wellbeing among young old volunteers. The main question it aims to answer are: • Do trained BrainLive Coaches demonstrate greater CST-related knowledge/skills, self-efficacy, and improved quality of life compared with volunteers receiving only educational materials? Researchers will compare the BrainLive Coach training group vs. general service group (young old volunteers) to see whether the intervention leads to enhanced dementia knowledge, sense of competence in dementia care, and approaches to dementia. Participants will be: 1. Adults aged 50 and over - volunteers (nRCT) * Participate in either 80-90 hours of BrainLive Coach training followed by volunteering in BrainLive Connect or receive educational materials on dementia and cognitive health. * Complete assessments at baseline (T0) and post intervention (T1) on dementia knowledge, competence in dementia care, self-efficacy, attitudes to dementia, quality of life, and social capital. 2. Qualitative study participants • Take part in individual interviews or focus groups, including trained volunteers, and NGO staff, to explore perceived impacts, mechanisms, implementation facilitators/barriers, and areas for improvement.

The research design is a non-randomized controlled trial (nRCT), involving 90 healthy adults aged 50 and over in the experimental group (Training group) who will receive 80-90 hours of BrainLive Coach Training, and another 90 young-old in the control group (Education group) who will receive educational workshops for comparison. Data will be collected at two time points: baseline (T0) and after the completion of BrainLive Connect volunteering (T1). Participants in the control group (N=90) will be recruited from the HKU network. During the evaluation period, control group participants will attend educational workshops focused on dementia and cognitive health. The BrainLive Coach training aims to enhance the skills and knowledge for delivering evidence-based dementia intervention (Primary outcomes); and improve self-efficacy, quality of life, and social capital of the young-old individuals. The outcome measures include Dementia Knowledge Assessment Tool, Sense of Competence in Dementia Care, Approaches to Dementia, General Self-efficacy scale, Quality of Life and social capital assessment tool.

Inclusion Criteria: * Hong Kong residents * Aged 50 and over * Had education level of Form 3 or above * Fluent in Cantonese * Able to read and write Chinese Exclusion Criteria: Unable to communicate and participate in interviews/training/intervention due to hearing impairment, visual impairment, or other conditions.