My placement is nearing an end as a Volunteer Intern with Cookstown and Magherafelt Volunteer Centre.

I started my placement in September 2013 during my third year of my degree course in Consumer Studies at the University of Ulster in Coleraine.  In my placement I have gained valuable experience from working on a wide range of tasks within the Centre.

Before I officially started my placement I met with Barbara, Recruitment and Placement Officer and Michele, Volunteer Centre Co-ordinator in their Magherafelt office to discuss my role, the skills which I could offer and opportunities for involvement which could make a positive contribution to the work of the Centre and also enhance my learning experience and personal development.

I had four training days in mid- September which mainly involved induction about policies and work – shadowing Barbara, Michele and Joanne, Recruitment and Placement Officer in the Cookstown Office.

From the beginning I have been made very welcome as part of the team. I wasn't quite sure what to expect but I settled in quite quickly and found there was always plenty of work to be getting on with.

As it would not be possible to detail all aspects of the work I was involved with I have outlined some examples in an effort to illustrate the variety of opportunities which are available in the life of a busy Volunteer Centre.

I had weekly supervision with Barbara to discuss my workload, training opportunities and my plan of work.  This provided me with the opportunity to discuss any problems or concerns I had.  

On a daily basis I assisted with the day to day running of the Volunteer Centre offices.  As raising public awareness is key to the success of the Volunteer Centre I was involved in a number of events and activities, the biggest of which was the Volunteer and Recruitment Fair held at Meadowbank Sports Arena in late 2013.

I had the opportunity to represent the Volunteer Centre at a range of events including NRC InfoFest 2013 and many other local Awareness and Information Events.

Student Volunteering Week saw me at the University of Ulster Campuses in Magee, Jordanstown and Coleraine to promote volunteering.  On the lead up to Valentine’s Day I organised a media campaign encouraging people to “Be the Heart of Your Community”.

Volunteering however is not all hard work – there are also social occasions, for example, the AGM and Celebration Evening held in Greenvale Hotel and the Millennium Volunteers Award Ceremony held in the Guildhall, Londonderry. Here I received my certificate for completing 200 hours of volunteering.

If this award is something you are not familiar with I would encourage you to find out more and get involved – it may be that you are already volunteering in a local youth club for instance, and these hours link together like building blocks.

Overall my experience has been very enjoyable and rewarding. Volunteering is not all one-sided; it’s not all about giving to the organisation and the community – there are many benefits for the volunteer in working individually or as part of a team, gaining experience in a wide variety of settings and learning new skills through attendance at courses.

In conclusion I would like to especially thank Barbara, Michele and Joanne for their help and encouragement.

Thanks also to all the staff and volunteers who helped make my placement a worthwhile and enjoyable experience.

 
Carolyn

Last October I attended the Cookstown and Magherafelt Volunteer Recruitment Fair at Meadowbank Sports Arena, Magherafelt.  I was attracted to a few volunteering opportunities, one was with Agewell and their Good Morning Project and the other was AdviceNI for their Internet Champion Project.

I started volunteering with Agewell in November on a weekly basis. It is a thoroughly worthwhile experience. We call each person on the database at a particular time slot and chat to them about how they are feeling, any plans for that particular day. Some people like to chat for a while, whilst others are happy for a quick hello and be on their way. They are all very grateful for the call, particularly as some are living in rural areas and can be quite isolated. There are some characters and there is always a wee story to be heard. I find it a very uplifting experience and I hope to continue volunteering at Agewell for the foreseeable future.

The Internet Champion role with AdviceNI commenced in January for 12 weeks at Meadowell Fold Magherafelt.

Myself and Sarah from AdviceNI worked together showing a small group of 10 people how to use an ipad. Starting from taking photos, to web browsing, setting up email addresses and Skype. The group were extremely receptive and really found it easy to navigate around the ipad functions and applications. A couple of the group even went out week 2 and bought their own ipads!!

I even learnt a few new things myself which was great. As part of this 12 week programme AdviceNI invited me onto their Age Awareness 2 day course which was really eye opening and I learnt a lot about this topic. I have now completed the workbook and I hope to gain the accreditation for this course.

I recently gained employment with Oasis Caring in Action - Antrim on their Youthways project and I firmly believe the experiences shared and gained through my volunteering helped in getting the job.

I am very grateful for the opportunities that Agewell and AdviceNI have provided me with.

I would recommend volunteering to everyone. Even if you don't have much spare time, sometimes you could fit in some wee thing that could benefit the wider community as well as your own personal development.

My name is Eileen Black, I’m married and have 3 grown up sons and when I retired from the Civil Service in 2010 after 20 years sitting behind a desk I promised myself never to work in an office again.  So on retiring I joined a local walking club, I revamped my garden and my little Jack Russell Finn got walked and walked and…!

October 2011 was my first encounter with the Macmillan Unit at Antrim Hospital to visit a patient who was a friend of mine.   To experience such dedication from the staff there and such peaceful surroundings for the patients and their families I just felt that I had to give some time to support people living with cancer.

I enquired how to become a volunteer and after completing the registration process I attended training offered to volunteers which helped to gain an insight into cancer and its various treatments.  I was allocated a role in Laurel House, just next door to the Macmillan Unit where I had been visiting my friend.

I volunteer one morning per week at Laurel House at Antrim Area Hospital which is an Out Patients’ Unit where people undergo cancer treatment.  My role as a volunteer involves supporting the patients at the Haemotology clinic every Thursday morning.  When I say supporting basically I mean I chat to them!  In a waiting room full of people I just have a look around and if someone is alone I will go and sit with them.  It may be that they are worried or apprehensive and I sit and they talk and I listen. Maybe they are worried about being out of work and I direct them to the appropriate person regarding benefits advice.  Sometimes it’s a person who has access difficulties so I will get them a cup of tea.

Each Thursday brings a new challenge as people’s needs differ.  If I can't help I have the support of the nursing staff and clerical staff in Laurel House and the Macmillan Support and Information Manager and Volunteer Coordinator - all of whom have made me very welcome and are always ready to help and advise me.

Being a people person I really enjoy meeting the patients and their families and getting to know them as they come back over the weeks for their treatments.  I am always amazed at their positivity and hope I might be helpful if only in a small way during their time in Laurel House.

If you have some free time and are interested in becoming a volunteer within Cancer Services and like me enjoy spending time with people then just do as I did and make that call!

If you would like to use your time and skills to support people living with cancer please contact 
Macmillan Volunteer Coordinator 
Elma McCracken on 
028 94 424394 
elma.mccracken@northerntrust.hscni.net or contact the Volunteer Centre.  


Other Volunteer Opportunities with Macmillan

I’m Jade McCormick, currently studying for a HND Beauty Therapy at Belfast Metropolitan College.

I volunteer with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust to help run Look Good Feel Better workshops for ladies coping with the visible side effects of cancer treatment.   

The workshops take place once a month at Clotworthy House in Antrim.  We talk the twelve ladies who come along through a skincare and make up routine and offer advice on any queries which they have relating to skincare and make up application. 

I decided to look into volunteering following a personal loss in my family due to cancer. I know what a great job the Macmillan Unit and Laurel House in Antrim do and I really wanted to give something back to help the patients there who are going through cancer and its treatments.  As a beauty therapist and self-confessed make up/skin care addict if I was going through the daunting side effects of cancer or its treatment I would greatly appreciate someone showing me how to use my beauty products properly to help me feel that little bit better. 

The feedback we get from the ladies at the end of the workshops is fantastic, it really makes you realise that you are helping in some small way, which is extremely rewarding. I love make-up and skin care, and to share my passion at workshops is something I really enjoy.  I was told by a lady who had attended a workshop that she was able to go about her day with a smile and felt that she had the confidence to walk up to people and ask them how they were, a small task which many of us would take for granted but one which she was greatly struggling with prior to the workshop. It’s these small differences that inspire me to continue working alongside the other fantastic volunteers and all those involved in Look Good Feel Better.

Every single lady attending the workshops is at a different stage in their journey so their needs vary a lot and unfortunately we don’t have endless amounts of time to guide all through every part of a routine.  However being able to send them home with a goody bag which has been donated by cosmetic companies and a list of tips means that I know that they will be able to continue to practise what they have learnt at home.   

I would recommend this type of volunteering to any beauty therapist.  It is undoubtedly one of the most rewarding things I have ever done, and to share my expertise with those who are really in need of a pick-me-up is amazing. Cancer affects so many of us and it’s so gratifying to know that you are making a small change in people’s lives.

I feel that a beauty therapy volunteer should be positive, enthusiastic, passionate and happy.  Attending a workshop makes you realise that there actually is an awful lot to smile about!

The next Look Good Feel Better workshops take place on 6 March, 7 April and 1 May.  If you are currently undergoing cancer treatment and would be interested in attending a workshop please call the Macmillan Unit on 028 94 424394 to book your place. 

Alternatively if you would like to use your time and skills to support people living with cancer please contact:


Macmillan Volunteer Coordinator 
Elma McCracken on 028 94 424394
elma.mccracken@northerntrust.hscni.net or contact the Volunteer Centre.  


Other Volunteer Opportunities with Macmillan

Volunteering in Magherafelt is probably one of the best uses of your spare time available.

Don’t believe me?!

What other activity allows you to use your skills in selling to the public one day and the next, help an organisation catch up on its administration activities?

Okay… admin might not sound like fun. But the people you help are good people and you end up enjoying working with them.  I’ll tell you more on that later.

I’m Chris. At the moment I am a full time carer for my mum. She has a severe form of arthritis and her mobility most days isn’t good. So I’m at home most of the time helping her as much as I can. When we made the decision about her care needs we also discussed that I would need some time to me out of the house, and volunteering offered that ‘escape’.

I have been a volunteer, on and off, for over 10 years. Don’t worry, I won’t tell you about all of my experiences today. It would be too long and you wouldn’t read it. So, I’ll just talk about one role today

On a Wednesday morning I walk into the Magherafelt office of the Cookstown Magherafelt Volunteer Centre and take my seat at the Volunteer’s desk. The staff and volunteers that work here are a committed bunch. Overseeing the volunteers is Barbara. Most of you will know Barbara as she is the Volunteer Recruitment and Placement Officer. There is also Michele the Centre Coordinator, Carolyn (Volunteer Intern), Nathan (work experience student), George (very committed Chairman of the Volunteer Centre) and a whole array of other characters.

Barbara always has a task (or tasks) that need to be completed. There are a lot of volunteers, volunteer organisations and volunteer activities in the area with more new ones all the time. With all this new information the Volunteer Centres’ database needs quite a bit of management.

The source of all your local volunteer news, Volunteer Focus e-news, involves a lot of work. So I help Barbara bring together information from new and ongoing opportunities and other sources for articles for the monthly newsletter, which I’m sure you all read.  If you don’t already read it, follow this link to sign up.

Along with the usual tasks there is always something big happening which requires an extra hand. And these extras are a good time to show off your initiative. Recently I got to help with the Volunteer Recruitment Fair. On the run up to the big day I was given the task of ensuring the social media sphere was aware of it and seeing what other advertising we could get. I’m happy that the shares on Facebook and retweets on Twitter helped the message reach an extra few hundred people. And the event was given a shout out on most of the local radio stations. On the big day we arrived at Meadowbank Arena and started setting up. While everyone else worked on refreshments it was noted that we were short on chairs, extension cables and tables. I went off and asked the arena staff what they could do. The extras were sourced and the crisis was averted. I enjoyed the rest of the day, helping Barbara, Michele, Joanne and Carolyn make the event run as smooth as possible.

I said earlier that the admin may not be fun and it can be intensive, but I have very quickly developed a friendship with the people I work alongside. And that makes the difference, I end up going into the office not just to do the work, which is important, but to have a cuppa and chat and make a difference, especially to someone like me. 


Chris

After a long wait and all the application forms were sifted through, interviews completed and the Volunteers were selected I received an email to say I was successful in my application and that I would be part of the Field of Play Volunteers based at the Beach Volleyball in Portrush. The next step was to attend an Orientation Event in the Kings Hall; I set off on the train knowing nobody, however was willing to make a few friends along the way. I was sitting on the train and overheard a conversation beside me between a woman and the conductor, the lady was asking which station she would need to get off if she were for the Kings Hall, and the Conductor replied Balmoral, after the conservation myself and another turned to the woman at the same time and asked if they were a WPFG Volunteer heading to the Orientation event. So from there a friendship was formed and the three of us headed to the Kings Hall. I knew then I was not the only person from Magherafelt area that was a volunteer, I had company for the day. 

The orientation event was fantastic; the display of talent from the dancers (African and Indian), the entertainment Tim McGarry (Da), and the amazement of magic tricks from David Meade kept us all entertained and allowed us to meet fellow volunteers from across the world. We heard talks from Dame Mary Peters, Deputy Chief Constable Judith Gillespie, Police Service of Northern Ireland and some service men and women who would be participating in the games, for some Belfast was their first games and others having competed before, along with a few other speakers of the day. Our Uniform was unveiled and it started the countdown to the games for the volunteers.

Uniform collection day arrived, and after trying on many sizes of trousers to get the right pair for my short legs, I finally decided on the pair that was just right, and that was just the start of the uniform! Next came the t-shirt, however this time the sizes were less numerous and I found the one in a shorter time. Then came the hat, the bag, and the little notebook to keep us all right on the day, and not forgetting our ID Pass – Our entry for our selected events.

Then it was games day for me, up at the craic of dawn for yet again another train journey, this time to Portrush and again with no-one I knew, as my friends from Belfast were based elsewhere around Northern Ireland. So I hoped on the train to see some familiar red t-shirts and we all got chatting; we were all heading to Portrush. After the little trek across town (before many had surfaced – it hadn’t yet turned 9am!) to the beach we were greeted by the Event Organisers who organised all us volunteers in to teams where again I was thrown in with new people, some only down the road from me and we had never met before! (Northern Ireland is such a small place!). So again more friendships were formed. 

Over the Beach Volleyball Events I was a ball fetcher, lines women and spectator during our breaks. One of the highlights was watching the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service Men’s Volleyball Team. Neither of the two had picked up a volleyball before the event. They entered the competition for a bit of fun and comradeship and to meet their fellow fire and rescue personnel from around the world. The even brought their own toy mascot, Fireman Sam, who was their mighty sub when the going got tough! The weather was fantastic , not our typical Irish wet sunshine but the glorious temperatures and sunshine that you find in a foreign holidaying country, so out came the sun lotion however despite my best efforts I still came home after the event the same colour as my red t-shirt….

Next the closing ceremony, where our Portush Gang all met at the Titanic Slipways for the final farewell of the games. I had been selected to participate in the closing ceremony parade with fellow volunteers behind the flag bearers; this itself was an achievement as only a select few volunteers were allowed to participate. I then re-joined our gang and we watched as the 2013 World Police and Fire Games came to a close with the help of local musical talent and Cool Fm’s, Pete Snodden. A few tears were shed as the Friendliest Games were officially over and the flag was handed on to the Fairfax Games in 2015.

Now here’s a bit that I’ve kept secret throughout, I was also lucky enough to be working in a host village for the athletes and volunteers, so not only did I meet participants and volunteers at the events, I also met some in work and was able to cheer a few on in Portrush in my free time. As a result I made friendships and memories that will remain with me well into the future. 

The World Police and Fire Games was an excellent volunteering opportunity; I met so many new people and made so many new friends. I would jump at the chance to be a volunteer again in 2015, who knows what’s in store over the coming years?

Gemma
WPFG Volunteer 2013

Margaret Logue, a volunteer with Action on Hearing Loss, says her experience as a befriender opened her eyes to the challenges deaf and hard of hearing people face, while at the same time encouraging her friend:

“For over a year now I’ve been befriending a lady called Susan (not her real name). In that time we’ve attended a number deaf events including signed Christmas Carols, and a bowling event. We’ve also enjoyed dinner, talking together and have been known to go shopping together- Susan’s favourite pastime!

Susan enjoys socialising with others – deaf and hearing – and the carers that see her before I do always write in the book how she’s looking forward to my arrival.

Befriending has benefited Susan as it has helped her to adapt to life outside of residential care, and it’s been great watching her ‘grow’ into her new home. Befriending for me has been a fantastic experience. I’ve enjoyed the time spent with Susan and it has opened my eyes to the difficulties deaf people can face. I’ve enjoyed using my British Sign Language skills and it’s nice to know that I’ve been of help, however small, to Susan.

I will miss seeing Susan when our befriending comes to an end and I hope Susan will look back on our time together with happy memories as I know I will.”

Sinead McGrogan from Castledawson is a volunteer with the NSPCC’s ChildLine Schools Service.

I was encouraged to get involved with the ChildLine Schools Service as the type of work and responsibilities sounded very interesting to me. I would like my future career to involve working with children in some way, and was keen to volunteer within such a large organisation which commits itself to a very good cause.

This service is so important, because it enables us to reach more children and reassure them about where they can go if they have a problem. From my own experience I have learned that it’s important just to be there, if only to listen.

Our service focuses on nine to 11 year olds, and aims to help them understand what abuse is, how to protect themselves and how to seek help if they need it – including through ChildLine. I hope that I will be able to contribute to achieving the new service’s goals and gain great personal experience in the process, and would encourage anyone with an interest to get involved. This is such a worthy cause and, on a personal level, you can access excellent training and be part of a really supportive team.”

I started volunteering after my GCSE’s, heading into Lower 6th, as I was always told to get some experience by my careers teachers at school; this experience they said would be a vital aspect in any UCAS form or for any job application which I was to fill out in the future. I could not agree more with the advice I was given! Volunteering definitely made my UCAS form easier to write and many interview questions easier to answer as I was able to provide real life examples of things I have participated in and skills I have learnt. 

At first I didn’t know where to look or what area I wanted to volunteer in but after a long think and a chat with my local Youth Office I decided on volunteering in a youth setting – this is an area that struggles to get volunteers in my local region. I went along to Bannside Youth Club and was warmly welcomed as a volunteer. I was introduced to staff members, had a tour of the facilities and was told about the activities that the young people participated in throughout the year. Over the following weeks I was then allowed to shadow Volunteers to see the different aspects of the youth club I could become involved in: Arts and Crafts, Games Hall, Tuck Shop, Trips etc.

After showing an interest in the games hall I was then allowed, under the supervision of my leader in charge, to supervise the games hall for one night to see how I would get on. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that night – I was handed a whistle and told I was in charge of leading games, talk about being thrown in at the deep end!! Having completed very little volunteering in the past, in fact it’s pretty safe to say I had completed none at all except for what I had completed in the previous weeks in shadowing, I was very nervous of this new adventure/challenge I was given, but I accepted it. With my legs shaking, my voice very quiet and not very many children responding, I knew then what I had to do…I had to step up to the mark, I had to become a youth leader the young people would look up to, I had to become their role model. So I took a deep breath, put on a loud voice and put into practice what I had seen the other Leaders do in previous weeks. After my two hour’s in charge I definitely knew volunteering in a Youth setting was the correct choice for me. I loved to see the smiles on the Young People’s faces when they participated in games I had chosen to facilitate for them – I knew I made their time worthwhile coming to youth club! I knew this experience would help me to come out of my shell – I wouldn’t be the quiet girl in the corner any more, I would be able to say things without being asked for my opinion all the time, I would be able to stand up for myself and most importantly I would be able to grow and develop and learn new skills just by interacting with new people.

As the weeks developed and my experience grew I then set myself a challenge to complete. I would leave the games hall and proceed down the building to the Arts and Crafts room to complete a project – we were going to make Mother’s Day baskets. This time my leader in charge felt I had built up my knowledge and confidence to facilitate this project on my own but that they would be there if I needed them. So out came the glue, the paper, the scissors, the glitter, the feathers, the sequences and my list could definitely go on – let’s just say there wasn’t much left in the cupboard! This was an enjoyable experience and another area I felt I could develop within the youth club.

The weeks and months have passed and I’m now entering my third year of volunteering with Bannside Youth Club and I have enhanced my knowledge and skills, I have facilitated more programmes and as a result have been able to gain qualifications – OCNNI Level 2 Introduction to Youth Work and OCNNI Level 3 Programme Development.

Through my experience of being a Youth Leader I am able to put myself forward to become Summer Scheme Leader. Again through this I have gained many qualifications and thoroughly enjoy the experience.

Since I have started to volunteer I have seen many new volunteering opportunities open up and as a result I have also become a member of the Community Rescue Service (CRS).  This opportunity came about after volunteering at the Big Splash event in Portglenone when I approached a CRS member to ask about their service. I was told that they are a voluntary Search and Rescue organisation with teams based throughout the province who are on call to search for missing people throughout Northern Ireland, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year. The thought of helping families to be reunited with their missing loved ones intrigued me, I had to learn more. So I wasn’t the quiet girl any more, I was the one asking the questions. Becoming a Youth Club leader had certainly paid off! After asking more questions and increasing my knowledge about their voluntary service I was invited to attend a training session and learn some more.

The following Monday I arrived at the Marina in Portglenone ready for training. I was briefed on the CRS, who they were, what they did and was involved in their training exercise. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I found that I had a passion for helping others – youth club helped me to help the young people develop themselves and the CRS would allow me to help families to look for their missing loved ones. After completing my probation time to see if CRS was truly for me I filled out an application form and was accepted into the unit as a new member and the rest they say is history. 

I have been a member now for over a year, have completed competencies (good job I’m typing that word – I have problems saying it – usually get it on go number 3!) and have attained my Search and Rescue Technician (SARTech) Qualification which allows me to attend searches. During my time spent in the CRS I have been on many searches (unfortunately, not all have had a positive outcome) and have helped out on many events e.g. Portrush Air Show, Gig ‘n the Bann and Big Splash Festivals. I have learnt new skills that I would never have had the chance to learn e.g. radio communications, water safety, coxing a boat (the correct term for driving a boat) and have met new people and developed friendships.

The units get along as one large family and I look up to the members as the big brothers and sisters that I never had due to being the oldest sibling in my house. I hope to develop my knowledge and skills further and achieve more qualifications with the organisation.

Just to round this off I came across this poem and thought it summed up being a volunteer:

Why be a Volunteer?

It’s not for fortune,

It’s not for fame,

It’s not only for personal gain,

It’s not for love of fellow man,

Or just to lend a helping hand,

It’s not for medals worn with pride,

It’s for the feeling deep inside,

Of helping others far and near,

That makes you want to volunteer!

Just remember volunteers are not paid – not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless!!

Gemma Mooney

I started volunteering for Action on Hearing Loss in summer 2010, with the help of Mariette Mulvenna, Outreach Volunteer Team Leader. I had recently returned to the family home in rural Northern Ireland, after living among England's thriving Deaf communities. Now I hoped to make new friends among local Deaf people. Mariette suggested I take part in the charity's In Touch service, where volunteers befriend deaf and hard-of-hearing clients through regular meetings. 

 So I started to visit a Deafblind client in a local town, and a new friendship with this sociable and outgoing man has rewarded both of us. He tactfully showed me how to communicate clearly with Deafblind people, both one-to-one and in groups, and how to guide them effectively in public places. I'm  familiar with British Sign Language, so he helped expand my understanding of Northern Irish Sign Language's differences. 

I greatly enjoy our weekly chats at his home, and make new friends through our shared Deaf social circles. Escorting him outdoors motivates me to get out more often and explore our local communities, and also makes me see them afresh as his guide.

My client benefited whenever I solved his occasional computer problems and  helped him navigate internet services too difficult to see. I could also assist with small household tasks and making arrangements for friends' visits. He  discovered more about nearby towns, shops, and tourist sites such as riverside walks and beaches, with me to guide him and describe our surroundings in sign language. 

For instance, on a rare sunny summer's day, I drove us to Portrush East Strand: we staggered safely over the soft sands, paddled in the invigorating seawater, and I described the beach's rock formations, surfers, bathers, distant boats and Dunluce castle. My client became blind later in life, and hadn't visited this beach for some years, so he appreciated rediscovering it.

Action on Hearing Loss staff do invaluable community work, but a volunteer can also offer a less formal, more intimate service, as we often share and empathise with the experiences of the Deaf people we meet.

James Kearney