Our names are Paulina Sajnach and Alise Karlstrema, this December we came to the InVOLve House for our sixth form work experience. There were lots of amazing people who welcomed us and made us feel like a part of a team. Barbara Kennedy introduced us to the InVOLve House and went through all the different projects and work they do there. We were amazed at how much work such a small building can cover!  

One of the organisations in the InVOLve House was Advice NI, we talked to Michael Murphy who makes sure that people can get the benefits they deserve as some people might have a language barrier and are not able to ensure them themselves. He helps people fill in important forms which range from business debt to tax and benefits and even welfare changes. After we had our informative conversation, we went a little bit off track and started to talk about cats, which was probably the best experience of my life (in Alise’s words).

After that, we went to talk to Simon Holmes, who works in the Base in Magherafelt. The Base is a safe space for adults, giving them a place to communicate, develop friendships and become more independent. I (Alise) developed many friendships with the different personalities that come into The Base daily, as everyone had their quirks and interests. Simon helped me feel comfortable around the crowd of people, as I am usually shy and I ended up making friendships that could potentially last longer than just these short four days.

In my work experience, I decided to solely focus on The Base, as in the future I want to do criminology or law, and these focus a lot on communication. During my first day I took my time getting to know everyone and even attempting to teach them new things, like numbers in a different language, (Latvian!). After getting introduced to everyone we made cupcakes the next day, (forgot to give one to Michael, sorry!) We also had a little Christmas party where everyone sang along to Christmas songs and had a fun, enjoyable time together. It was sad on the last day where I had to tell everyone goodbye, as I had grown quite attached to them. I hope to come back someday to talk to them again.

During my experience (Paulina), I made a Christmas edition of the volunteers’ centre newsletter. It taught me so much about what the centre did throughout the year and how with the help of volunteers, nearly everything is possible. After that, I helped with ’12 Days of Giving’, this involved making social media posts about different groups or organisations needing volunteers. All of this really showed me the amount of places to turn to for every type of person in Mid Ulster and how everyone could do something they enjoyed while giving a little time to volunteer.  As I would like to become a journalist, I learnt new skills and improved upon the ones I already had. Also, because I was talking to so many new people and learning what they do, it helped me develop my communication skills which are essential.  It is safe to say that my work experience was extremely pleasant and helped me in seeing if journalism was really the career I would like to go into in the near future (spoiler, it is!)

On our last day, we got a chance to talk to Mairead Devin, who is the ‘Carefully Yours’ Project leader. This is a project for anyone over the age of 55. It helps include older people into the community and arranges clubs for them to socialise and benefit from. The project aims at helping these people with independence and brings them out of isolation thus making them a part of the local society.

Overall, this experience has been very pleasant and enjoyable for the both of us. The days never seemed boring and time passed by quickly. There was always something to do and it didn’t feel like a chore to have to go on work experience. This place made us feel like we were a part of doing something important and helping people who just want to be like everyone else. This experience also helped us develop communication and writing skills that we haven’t got much of a chance to use in an actual workplace. The work that this seemly small place does is very inspirational and shows the good in people and how much they are willing to set up different projects and workplaces just in order to help others. We would be happy to come back and help again in the future!

Thank you InVOLve House and Mid Ulster Volunteer Centre for giving us this opportunity. 

Paulina and Alise 

​


​Maureen Hurrell, of Randalstown, has been named ‘People’s Champion’ by Action on Hearing Loss’ for her volunteer work befriending people with hearing loss in the Northern Health and Social Care Trust area.
 
The Awards, held annually by Action on Hearing Loss during National Volunteer Week (1-8 June), recognise volunteers for their vital role in delivering the charity’s services to people with deafness, tinnitus and hearing loss in Northern Ireland.
 
Maureen volunteers for the charity’s Befriending Service, which matches older isolated people with hearing loss with a local volunteer who visits them twice a month to provide social support. Since starting as a volunteer in 2014, Maureen has supported four people with hearing loss and currently visits three ladies in the Northern Trust.
 
Mariette Mulvenna, Team Leader for the project, said: “Maureen is an extremely reliable, respectful and passionate volunteer with a warm, kind and caring nature. She finds things in common with her befriendees; they have a good chat, cup of tea, and laugh about lots of different things. She sometimes takes them out for lunch, and helps them go for groceries and appointments.”
 
The difference Maureen makes in lives of the people she befriends is evident: one lady recently said: “I have a great laugh and I enjoy the conversation. I look forward to Maureen coming to visit.” Another lady said “[Maureen] tells me all about her family and everything which is very interesting…She makes me laugh - she’s really comical at times.”
 
As well as providing social support, Maureen also volunteers for the charity’s Hearing Aid User Support Service, providing NHS hearing aid users in Cookstown with new batteries, retubing and cleaning their hearing aids and providing information on how to get the best out of their hearing aids.
 
She said: “I wanted to learn how I could better support the ladies I befriend so I began shadowing the Hearing Aid User Support volunteers to learn the necessary skills. To achieve this award is an honour. I love being around people and believe that time with others, is time well spent. This is especially true of the older generation – the people I have met through Action on Hearing Loss. They talk of their experiences – it’s a two way process. I learn a lot and I hope they enjoy my company.”
 
To find out about volunteering for Action on Hearing Loss, visit www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/volunteering,
contact
volunteering.ireland@hearingloss.org.uk
​or call 028 9023 9619.

After having my house broken into and cars stolen I began to wonder why young people were roaming the streets in the middle of the night and why were they not at home tucked up in bed and why did they think it okay to steal?  After having the predictable reaction of anger I wondered what I might be able to do to help, maybe even prevent something like this happening to somebody else.

No sooner had I thought this, I saw an advertisement for befriending volunteers to work with young people who are in the process of leaving the care system. The majority of young people come into care because of difficulties at home or family breakdown, not because they have done anything wrong and they just need some extra support.

I applied, met the co-ordinator and was soon attending the training course. The training was informal and fun but thorough and very enlightening and there were likeminded people who all had their own reasons for wanting to do voluntary work.

A short time later I was told about my young person and prepared to go to a match meeting. Thankfully, young people and volunteers are matched according to the young people’s needs. Interests, personalities and location are all carefully considered so I was feeling optimistic and looking forward to the experience, even though I was a little nervous.
The focus of the service is very much social. If a young person has little support, low self esteem and limited self confidence it is a great idea that a volunteer can come along, as a non professional and spend some quality time with them.

My first impressions of this young person were of someone who was desperately trying to appear grown up and confident but she confided later that she was much more nervous than I was. We now meet up weekly, we have done a range of activities from eating Japanese food with chopsticks to learning to fly fish for trout – we have even caught some too! 

Some of our future plans involve a Black Cab Tour of Belfast and a manicure.
I have only been volunteering since May last year and even in this short time I have seen this young person grow in confidence. I find the experience of befriending rewarding and fun – giving me an opportunity to try new things and share good times with somebody else, somebody who may never have had the chance to try them.

I would recommend this to everyone; we all have something special to offer and you could make positive changes to a young person’s life.

“Experience is often what you get when you were expecting something else.”​

By: Donna Course

If this appeals to you at all then please contact:-
Janet Simm, Befriending Co-Ordinator  
028 9446 0695 or 07952415744.

After starting university and finding my feet I realised there are so many opportunities to take part in volunteer work.  I have always wanted to do something worthwhile and it is a chance to gain experience and add extra skills to my CV.  I chose to be a Befriender for Praxis, working with young people who are in the process of leaving the care system. I was instantly drawn to this one as working with a young person sounded like it could be fun.

My role as a Befriender is to offer friendship and support to a young person, this mainly consists of spending time together regularly and doing social activities.

After completing my training I was matched with a young person about six months ago. We have done lots of fun things: cinema, circus, shopping, barbeque on the beach and most recently we went to Todd’s Leap Activity Centre.
 
Before meeting my young person for the first time I was extremely nervous, all I could think was “What if she doesn’t like me?” however any potential befriender should remember this piece of advice I was given by The Co Ordinator, “No matter what you are feeling, I can guarantee the young person is feeling ten times worse than you are.”
Our first meeting on our own was just a coffee and a chat as we had to get to know each other but after a couple of meetings I think we both relaxed and now we just meet up and chat like I would with any of my other friends.
 
Becoming a befriender has opened my eyes to other people’s situations, helped me to expand my skills and given me the opportunity to take part in activities that I probably wouldn’t have done otherwise like going on Ireland’s biggest zip slide and 100ft high water slide!

As befrienders we are not responsible for the young people but we have a responsibility to pass on any concerns to The Co-ordinator. She gives me a lot of support and I know that if I am worried or fretting about anything I just need to pick up the phone. The young people are really appreciative of the time we give. I think it makes a difference to them that we are there because we want to be.
 
Overall, I think this Befriending Service is a brilliant and beneficial service and sometimes an essential part of the young person’s aftercare experience.

As a potential Befriender I am sure you will have many questions but don’t back away before having them answered in a phone call an email or over a coffee.
​
I hope by sharing my experiences more people will be encouraged to come forward and be Befrienders.
 
It’s so easy and definitely rewarding. 
 
Lyndsay Morgan.
 
If you are thinking of becoming a Befriender and you would like more information please contact
Janet Simm
Befriending Co-Ordinator
 
028 9446 0695
07952415744
 
Or email
janetsimm@praxiscare.org.uk
 
Thank you.
 

My name is Moira Shaw and I have been a Volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Society for 15 years.  

Initially I belonged to a Steering Group in Cookstown in 2000, and then when a Branch was formed to cover the Magherafelt and Cookstown District Council Area in 2002,  I became the Treasurer.  My mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 2000 and as our family received much needed support and information from the Alzheimer’s Society I felt I would like to help as a volunteer.  

The Alzheimer’s Society provides a very comprehensive support network and I am proud of the work it does in helping people with dementia and their carers.  I now hold the title of Thanker/Banker, Fundraising Volunteer and Awareness Volunteer. The Alzheimer’s Society continue to update my training to ensure I give accurate information and am aware of recent developments in all aspects of the brain disease.  

My mother died in 2012 but I have continued to work as a volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Society as I feel I am valued by the charity and hope the work I do will help those affected by dementia.  I feel that my role will signpost people with dementia and their carers to an organisation which provides excellent guidance. 

I continue to learn more about dementia and would like to think that much need research will find a cure, or at least people with dementia and their carers will have their needs fully met. 

Volunteer Story

My name is Siobhan McCool and I volunteer at Cookstown Base.  I have volunteered here for approximately 4 years. 

I really enjoy my day at the Base. I enjoy interacting with others and my volunteer work has given me the perfect opportunity to mix with others and enjoy their company.  I feel many benefits from my volunteer work.  These include having a purpose to my week and a sense of helping others and in turn being helped by them.

It has given me confidence in myself and an insight into skills that I have which I was previously unaware of.

I now also volunteer at The Hub and I hope that my future includes working on a paid basis in areas or with those whom I currently volunteer with.

Knocknagin Hall Committee was recently formed to oversee and manage the running of The Parish Hall which was falling into neglect.  The hall is situated just outside the village of Desertmartin adjacent to Knocknagin school. Our aims are to keep the hall open and functional for the local community and the various groups who use the hall on a regular basis.  The hall provides a place for people to meet and socialise helping to Minimize rural isolation and helps to improve mental and physical health and general well being.

Over the past year with the help of Living and Learning Together Project we have held a number of courses in our hall resulting in people from the community and volunteers from the groups that use the hall gaining certificates in Child Protection, First Aid, Food Hygiene Level 2 and two volunteers have gained certificates in Child Protection Designated Officers.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our volunteers for their continued support and commitment. 

In celebration of Volunteer Week (1st – 7th June), Praxis Care, a local charity promoting mental health throughout Northern Ireland held its annual ‘thank you event’ on 28th May in The Glenavon House Hotel, Cookstown.

Volunteers were acknowledged for their dedication and commitment to Praxis Care with some receiving awards for 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years service.  They all enjoyed a meal and time together sharing their experience and highlights of their volunteering over the last year.

The Befriending Scheme was set up in 1981 and matches volunteers with people who are suffering from or are at risk to developing mental ill health as identified by the local mental health teams or other professionals and currently provides support to over 1500 service users.

Praxis volunteer, Donna McAlleese has been a volunteer befriender for over a year and is thoroughly enjoying the role:

“I would consider my decision to volunteer to be one of my better choices in life. I believe that this type of position is different to other voluntary roles in that it offers both parties the unique opportunity to get to know each other on a deeper level and to become real friends. This brings rewards on a number of levels – not only for the volunteer and their friend – but also to the families of those who care full-time for people with mental ill health.”

One of the key drivers behind the Volunteer Befriending scheme is to reduce social isolation. This means that the role can be what you make it and there are no restrictions in terms of activities undertaken e.g. nipping out for a coffee, going to the cinema, a walk in the park, attending other social group activities or visiting our new Therapeutic Garden @ 14 Sandy Grove which was officially opened on 01 May.

Our new therapy garden has been redesigned by the Housing Executive to clear the ground and install raised beds for growing vegetables and flowers with a therapeutic element. It is hoped this will aid the recovery of all our service users by enabling a calming environment to enjoy social interactions.                              
Donna also explains “Sometimes because of the individual’s mental ill-health, it’s not always possible to go out. Having the patience to wait until my friend feels comfortable and well enough to go out is a key part of the role. However, I have found that even just by being there, having conversations about what’s happening in both our lives, makes a big impact. I can see them visibly uplifted as we talk.

Volunteer befriending doesn’t just impact the befriendee however; it also benefits the individual’s family and friends. Indeed, Donna has been thanked on numerous occasions “for not giving up”.

Donna plans to continue being a volunteer in the long-term: “I love it. I find it really fulfilling, doing something with a purpose. It’s really nice to be able to get close to someone…to develop a long-lasting friendship. As a volunteer, it is also nice to have no restrictions in terms of times or activities. This means that, together, we can inject some fun into what we do by focusing on our hobbies and interests.

Praxis Care relies on the support of volunteers. If you would like to find out more about volunteer opportunities in your local area, please contact  Jo MacOscar, Praxis Care, 14 Sandy Grove, Magherafelt. Telephone 02879634488. Email info.magherafelt@praxiscare.org.uk

 

 

 

My name is Deirdre McGuckin and I live in Ardboe.  I started volunteering a number of years ago with my local community group, in Ardboe, where we provided activities for children.  I really enjoyed this as I wasn’t originally from Ardboe and it was an opportunity to meet new people.  Also in addition, my own children benefitted from the different activities that were on. 

In more recent times I have started volunteering as an office assistant in Cookstown Volunteer Office, working with Joanne.  I started there in October 2014, and work one day a week in the office.  I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here and have got to know the work of the volunteer office and am amazed at the number of volunteer opportunities that are available to people.  I haven’t worked in a few years myself so it’s great to get back into the office and get some up to date experience.  I have been doing computer work, answering phones and updating files, and meeting different people who frequent the office.  In a previous job I had been in contact with the volunteer office with regards to getting police checks done for volunteers, so it’s great now to put a name to the place.  Anyone who has free time and wants to volunteer in whatever field, I would advise them to do so, it’s enjoyable and rewarding and you have  some fun too!!! Many thanks to Joanne in Cookstown office for her time and patience with me, there’s a great welcome in Cookstown volunteer office, and it’s a happy place to be.

In the year and a bit since I last wrote a blog post for the volunteer centre I have been busy. Firstly a brief recap about me. I’m a carer for my mother. Her year hasn’t been good health wise, but she still insists that I get out of the house a bit. So I look forward to, and enjoy, my volunteering activities.

Last time I blogged I talked about my volunteering at Cookstown & Magherafelt Volunteer Centre. I am still volunteering there and I’m happy with the work I do. I’m quite proud to say that I had a small input to the Volunteers’ Week activities been run by the Volunteer Centre.

In this post I want to talk about the volunteering I do a Friends of Charis Charity Shop Magherafelt. I’m sure many of you have been in the shop. Most of the work I do is up in the Book Nook, at the Rainey Street Car Park entrance.

When people come into a second hand bookshop they have this fantasy that it must be the best job in the world. They think that we place the books on the shelves, help people pick something good to read, have a wee cup of tea and read a book at the till waiting for customers. While this has an air truth to it the real truth is much better.

I come in just before 10am and switch on the things that needs switched on (till, lights, etc.).  In the sorting room are there ary boxes of books that have been donated. We love our donators; they come in with the best selection of books. Before the book team get to sorting them we have to check the shelves. We check for gaps and get books to fill them. I spend quite a bit of time taking books from where they don’t belong and putting them in their right place.

When sorting the books that have been donated the best thing is coming across a book that someone has asked us to keep an eye out for. Also the little treasures you find along the way, such as a first edition Seamus Heaney book of poems. Books like that fetch more than the average £1.50 for hardbacks.

It’s a labour of love. The volunteers that work in the bookshop are very dedicated. We each have our own speciality and that’s the section we work hard on. Together we have a collection of books that make us the best bookshop in Magherafelt.

At the end of the day when the till is been counted up and you’re told the total, it’s a great feeling to know that the bit of volunteering you have done has helped raise that amount of money for the Charity.