CHESHIRE IRELAND VOLUNTEER INTEGRATION AND MANAGEMENT INTRODUCTIONS 1

CHESHIRE IRELAND VOLUNTEER INTEGRATION AND MANAGEMENT

INTRODUCTIONS 1. Share your name 2. Your expectations of this session

Today’s format 00: 00 Introductions 00: 10 What a volunteer is and isn’t 00: 15 Why people volunteer 00: 25 (Location) Volunteer roles and next steps 00: 35 A volunteer is whose responsibility? 00: 55 Succeed with new volunteers 00: 00 Close

A VOLUNTEER IS: A VOLUNTEER IS NOT INTENDED TO BE: • A huge opportunity • Doing the work of a • A willing pair of hands • A new set of skills • Free to leave if they wish paid member of staff • Doing care support work • Taken advantage of in any way

Why do people VOLUNTEER? • To do something useful with their time • To practice / use their skills • To be involved in a particular field (maybe get a job) • To give something back • To meet new people • To belong or be part of their community

Cheshire Volunteer roles • Personal volunteer • Befriending • Driving (Gift–a-Lift) • Gift–a-Lift Co-ordinator Key requirements of all volunteers: • Respect • Safety and Security • Confidentiality

Volunteer 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 (can take up to 4 months) 4. ‘Meet and greet’ sessions can be held in the interim and shadowing of staff can take place.

Responsibility for Volunteers 1. Enter appropriate name for this location (recruitment selection, maintaining records, monitoring contribution, reviewing success etc. ) 2. Staff – make volunteers a part of the team 3. Language and communication 4. Day-to-day - i. e. for training, shadowing - will be assigned to various staff members 5. It will be everyone’s responsibility to ensure safety and security is maintained throughout

How to succeed with new volunteers • EVS is a new initiative – upfront investment time needed • Teamwork • Professionalism – role model i. e. timekeeping etc. • Training – Cheshire Ireland Orientation, Fire Safety, Moving and Handling, Choking and Swallowing, Driving Assessment (if appropriate)

Communicate • If you are not comfortable with something, say so • Check understanding - if you are unsure what someone is telling you, say so • Do not allow any volunteer to do a task they are not trained to do – say ‘no’ • If you see something that is not right, escalate to a senior member of staff

Finally, Any questions?