Volunteer

Description

During the cold winter of 1976, Willie and his colleagues found the bodies of a number of older people in tenements throughout the city. They had died in appalling conditions.

Willie was so shocked by this that he, and a small group of friends and colleagues began distributing food, fuel and blankets to those older people who were most in need.

They also started a campaign to raise awareness of these ‘forgotten old’ in the media and to the government. Today ALONE continues its work providing direct services to thousands of older people as well as campaigning for the rights of older people in our society.

Is training provided?:Yes

Please note that Garda Vetting is required for this position which will be processed with you after you apply.

Tasks that the volunteer(s) will be expected to undertake:

Visitation Support and Befriending is a supported one-to-one relationship between a volunteer and an older person who has been linked with ALONE. The ALONE Support and Befriending service provides companionship and practical support to older people who would like extra social contact through a weekly volunteer visit. The Support and Befriending service is designed to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness, provide assistance to solve everyday problems, and enable older people to feel secure at home.  

Volunteering with an Older Person might present challenges at times, ALONE staff will always be there to support you in dealing with difficult situations. 

Please Note: This is not a supported volunteer role; you will be attending visits alone. 

• Providing one to one companionship to an older person by visiting them at least once a week. 

• Providing basic practical support for the older person where necessary, such as helping with assessing information, making a phone call, noting appointments, etc. (Volunteers are not substitutes for home-help or care assistants and should not take on these roles).

• Supporting the older person, you are visiting to attend local activities and integrate with their community by encouraging them to join local groups and initiatives for older people.

• Contacting ALONE if there are concerns for the older person’s health, safety, or welfare.

• Advocating for the older person where necessary. This might mean making a phone call on their behalf or helping them fill in a form.

Benefits of Volunteering:

• The opportunity to make a real impact to the lives of older people.  

• Initial and ongoing training.

• Insights and understanding about social inclusion issues. 

• Opportunity to progress into other roles in ALONE.

• Opportunity to develop your leadership skills. 

• A chance to be part of the ALONE volunteer community. 

• Certificate of volunteering (minimum 3 months of volunteering required for the certificate to be issued).

Details of time commitment needed for role:
To provide support and companionship to an older person by visiting them at least once a week. All Volunteers must be over 18 years of age. All volunteers must be Garda vetted, reference checked and supply proof of address (for example a Bank statement, a utility bill) and proof of identification (for example: Passport). A minimum of a year’s commitment is required.

Minimum time commitment per week:
1 hour p/week

Additional screening required for this role::
Application, informal interviews, online training, garda vetting, reference checks, ID checks

Sustainable Development Goal:

Hei:
DUBLIN CITY UNIVERSITY, TU DUBLIN, UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN