Practical Assistance

Some organizations need DIY or building volunteers to paint and decorate, carry out repairs or put up shelves. This can be for the organization itself or with its client base.

Volunteers can:
• Paint the walls of community centres, childcare facilities, day care centres for elder people
• Make small improvements in the home or garden of people unable to undertake this work themselves.
• Offer professional building or decoration services.

Befriending

Befriending involves giving support and friendship to someone who may be going through a difficult period, is feeling lonely, or is adjusting to a major change in their life.
Befriending schemes can support, for example: elder people, lone parents, young people, new parents, adults with disabilities or health problems.

Volunteer befrienders are matched with a client (perhaps because they share an interest or are of a similar age). They meet on a regular basis, perhaps to go shopping, go to the cinema or simply to have a chat over a cup of coffee. Befriending may aim to encourage the client’s independence, build their self-confidence or offer social contact beyond their immediate family. Befrienders are carefully selected and trained and receive ongoing support.

Physical Disability

Many people are particularly interested in volunteering with people with a physical disability to assist them lead a more active or independent life.

Volunteers can:
• help or assist with individuals or groups dealing with specific conditions such as arthritis, cancer, or epilepsy or with more general disability organizations.
• provide one-to-one support as a tutor, befriender or peer counsellor.

HIV/Aids and Drug Dependency

Many people choose to volunteer with people directly or indirectly affected by HIV/AIDS or drug dependency issues.

Volunteers can:
• help out at a drop-in or information centre.
• be a befriender in a ’buddy’ scheme.
• provide practical help such as gardening, driving, baby-sitting, or painting and decorating.
• participate in preventative, educational and awareness raising work.

Driving

Many elder people or people with a disability are unable to leave their homes due to a lack of suitable transport. Volunteer drivers provide a vital service helping them to get out and about, perhaps to a day center or social club. Some organisations have their own vehicles whilst others need drivers with their own car. Perhaps the best-known volunteer drivers are the ’Meals on Wheels’ fleet.

The insurance requirements of organizations may differ, but usually a volunteer has to be aged over 23 years and have a clean driving license. Minibus drivers may be required to sit a test. Volunteers using their own car will normally be paid petrol expenses.

1.4.Children and Young People

There are a wide variety of volunteering roles with children.

Volunteers can:
• assist in crèches and playgroups for the under fives.
• help with after school clubs, junior youth clubs and holiday
playschemes, helping with games, arts and crafts, music and sport for those aged under 12.
• help out with young people over 12 in youth clubs or youth
cafés and ‘drop-in’ centres providing varied social, leisure and outdoor activities, as well as ’issue’ based work e.g. health promotion or drugs awareness.
• provide one-to-one support for children who are experiencing difficulties at school or at home.
• There are also well known youth organisations such as the Scouts and Girl Guides.

Individuals who volunteer with children or vulnerable adults should expect to undergo Garda Vetting.

1.5.Hospital Work

Many hospitals and residential care units involve volunteers in a variety of roles.

Volunteers can:
• visit and befriend patients and/or residents.
• help in hospital shops.
• provide trolley and library services.
• escort patients on outings.
• help with social activities.

II.Residential

You may wish to get involved in voluntary work on a residential basis. This will involve a period of ‘live in’ with the organization. Residential volunteering opportunities can last from one week to several months or more. Your local Volunteer Centre will be able to advise you on organizations that offer residential opportunities

Volunteers can:
• help out in summer camps for children
• assist in care units for people affected by homelessness
• assist residential drug rehabilitation center
• undertake environmental volunteer projects

Team Volunteering

Groups of friends or colleagues can get together for a one-off volunteering project e.g. painting a mural, creating a wildlife garden, decorating premises or organizing an outing for a group of people. Your local Volunteer Centre will be able to let you know of available projects.

Volunteer work can be a very rewarding experience. Getting children involved in volunteering teaches them about compassion and can help build self-confidence. Retirees can volunteer in order to keep active and experience a rewarding endeavor.

Nursing Homes

Volunteering at nursing homes not only helps the volunteer with psychological and emotional needs but has added benefit for the residents of the home. Volunteers can help with hair styling, games or just visit. These activities are beneficial for the residents of the home who might otherwise only rarely have visitors.

Early Childhood

Preschools and Head Start centers often need volunteers. Volunteers assist the teacher with meals, snacks, game time, learning and reading during story time. Both adults and teenagers can enjoy this type of volunteer job.

Hospitals

In hospitals, volunteers may help with visits with the patients and delivering newspapers and gifts. Volunteers also spend quality time with patients to make their hospital stays a little easier.

Libraries

Adults and children alike can volunteer at public libraries. Volunteers often participate in story time for small children. Some libraries will also have volunteers help with book returns and displays.

Conclusion

Volunteering gives a sense of purpose to all involved. Not only can a person help their community but they can also help themselves. Benefits include building self-confidence and self-worth, improving communication skills and encouraging social development.

Date: 2015-12-24; view: 833