CHESHIRE IRELAND

VOLUNTEER INTRODUCTION

This evening’s format7.30pm Welcome & Introductions

7.40pm Cheshire Ireland story & values

7.50pm (location) Cheshire

8.00pm Volunteering and roles

8.20pm Process and paperwork required

8.25pm Next steps & Questions

8.30pm Tea and Coffee

WELCOME and INTRODUCTIONS

1. Share your name

2. Your expectations of this session

Cheshire Ireland

Ethos & Mission

• Leonard Cheshire (1917-1992)• History in Ireland (50 years)• Worldwide - 250 projects in 52 countries globally• Ethos ‘ quality, person-centred services which facilitate people with disabilities to live a life of their own choosing’• New Direction – community living

Cheshire Ireland

Our Values:• Respect• Optimism• Integrity• Innovation• Collaboration 

(Add Location) Cheshire

Add details:

• Brief history of centre• Number of residents with various physical and

neurological disabilities • Number of staff

VOLUNTEERS – why?

• To open up new possibilities

• To add something new

• To ensure that people belong or feel a part of their community

• To meet new people

• To uncover new skills

Volunteer roles

• Personal Volunteer

• Befriending

• Driving (Gift–a-Lift)

• Gift–a-Lift Co-ordinator

Key requirements of all: • Respect • Confidentiality• Security

How to succeed in a volunteering role at Cheshire Ireland

• New initiative – please, have patience with us!

• Teamwork with staff and other volunteers

• Professionalism – be there if you have committed to it, i.e. timekeeping

• Training – Cheshire Ireland Orientation, Fire Safety, Moving and Handling, Choking and Swallowing, Driving Assessment (if appropriate)

Communication

• If you are unsure what someone is telling you, say so

• If you are not comfortable with something, say so

• Do not do any task you are not trained to do – say ‘no’

• If you see something that is not right, tell a senior member of staff

Eating/Drinking:

A life of meaning?

Adding to ‘a life of meaning’

You can help to ‘make the less, more’

Active citizenshipLinking with the local communityGoing on outingsFamily eventsWriting lettersReading aloudComputersBoard gamesEntering competitions Sitting with someone watching a DVD

Helping with loneliness

Singing along to musicScrap bookingDoing a budgetTidying someone’s wardrobeGoing shopping

And I’m sure you can think of more……A good guide is what a person of a similar age is doing in the community.

Next Steps

1. Submit an Application Form and CV

2. If short-listed: • Garda Vetting (photo ID)• 3 referees

3. Until the Garda Vetting process is completed, no one can have 1:1 contact with residents (normally takes 2 months)

4. ‘Meet and greet’ evenings will be held in the interim and shadowing of staff can take place.

Finally,

Any questions?