Volunteer Helping Hands Befriender (Polish speaking)

Overview of roleSupport an older person to remain living at home independently through a weekly visit – you will provide practical help with household tasks; befriending support to reduce isolation and access to information or support to attend medical appointments by taxi where needed. Many of the older people we work with have limited family support to assist in these areas - this volunteer role will help to ensure that their home environment is a positive one. Loneliness is a serious health risk and a volunteer visit of just two hours a week can make a huge difference in addressing the isolation experienced by an older person.  Location: Various in Galway City Times: 1 visit of up to 2 hours per week (Monday to Friday). Day and time flexible. Commitment: Minimum 6 months Responsible to: Coordinator of the Helping Hands at Home Project Level of English required: Fluent  What’s involved? Provide weekly practical support for an older person. Provide help with basic daily household tasks, cleaning, tidying, shopping. Establish a professional, supportive relationship with assigned older person To be an advocate for the older person where necessary. This might mean making a phone call on their behalf, helping them fill in a form or identifying a support issue with COPE Galway staff. To support the older person to integrate in their community – such as encouraging them to join local groups and initiatives for older people where possible. Participate in all mandatory training and work within the guidelines set out by Cope Galway. Attend and participate in quarterly group support meetings with fellow Helping Hands at Home volunteers and project coordinator. To contact our office if there are concerns for the older person’s health, safety or welfare  Personal Specification Core competencies/skills required. Polish speakingAbility to interact sensitively and build strong, supportive working relationships. Ability to communicate effectively Strong listening skills Interpersonal and teamwork skills Ability to respond in a professional manner to challenging and stressful situations A commitment to principles of diversity and inclusion Qualities Friendly, enthusiastic manner Ability to demonstrate respect and empathy to clients Have an understanding and respectful attitude Reliable & punctual What will you get out of it?  Join a fun, welcoming team while meeting and working with new people The opportunity to develop social and experiential competencies such as Developing knowledge and gaining practical experience relative to this role. Gaining communication and customer service skills Building confidence Adding valuable experience to your CV References available once the minimum commitment has been made.  The option to access other training courses as appropriate to the role. The opportunity to contribute to a local Galway charity and help us realise our vision of creating a community where every person is valued, cared for and supported at every stage of life Great personal satisfaction since you can make a real difference to our service users. What we would like from you Willingness to work within the values and policies of COPE Galway Volunteers conducts themselves in a professional manner and maintains a respectful and courteous manner in dealing with clients. Maintain confidentiality in respect of all matters which come to their knowledge while volunteering Volunteers should not undertake duties outside this role description without checking first with their Volunteer Supervisor Adhere to the “Volunteer Agreement” which includes their rights and responsibilities as outlined in our Volunteer Handbook Will there be induction and training? You will receive a local induction and introduction to the role before you start You will be offered service specific training required for the role  Other training includes:  Trauma Informed Practice (online module) ‘Stop & Think’ Reflective Workshops You will have the opportunity to participate in ‘On-boarding Induction’ with fellow volunteers and staff In addition, Cope Galway will provide ongoing support and supervision through relevant to the volunteer role, which you will be informed about while you are volunteering.  Recruitment Process Applicant is sent an Application Pack (role description, application form etc) Once the application form is received and the applicant is considered a suitable match for a particular volunteer role, the applicant will be invited to meet with the service manager The interview takes place within the service setting Successful applicants will be offered the volunteer role subject to  Garda vetting is a requirement for this role 2 Reference Checks (one of whom must be resident in Ireland) Induction and Orientation prior to commencement Volunteers commencing with COPE Galway are subject to a trial period  Our Values, Our Work, Our People Our Vision is a community where every person is valued, cared for, and supported at every stage of life. We work to achieve this by providing essential support for people at challenging times in their lives, and by advocating for systemic change to remove the root causes of inequity and disadvantage that constrain the wellbeing and development of individuals, families and communities.   Our Mission is to make a difference by empowering people, creating change and strengthening communities. We understand, respect and respond to the needs of our clients who are always at the forefront of our work.    COPE Galway is committed to becoming a Trauma Informed Organisation through an implementation plan that includes training for all staff and volunteers across all roles and departments. Trauma Informed Practice (TIP) aims to support us to recognise trauma and to react and respond to it in ways that minimise triggering and re-traumatising people, so that we continue to provide the best possible services to those who need us most. TIP also encourages us to focus on our organisational culture and how we each interact with one another to create psychologically safe environments for clients, volunteers and staff. It encourages us to reflect on our triggers and responses and considers personal and organisational responses to staff and volunteer wellbeing to ensure that our people are supported to deliver the best services they possibly can to those who need them most.    Everything we do is guided by the COPE Galway Approach to help us achieve our vision of a community where every person is valued, cared for and supported at every stage of life.     This assets-based and person-centred approach recognises that each person has attributes and strengths that can make positive differences in their own lives. We achieve results for the people we work with because of our Approach.     The COPE Galway Approach is built on:   Understanding - Deep listening, storytelling, learning, developing, openness, connections.   Respect - Valuing the whole person, empowering, trusting, believing in the potential of others, drawing on strengths and abilities.   Response - Quality, professionalism, making an impact, challenging ourselves, continuous improvement.   Strong human relationships form the basis for the COPE Galway Approach. These relationships are established on how we understand and respect those we work with and how we respond so that we positively impact people’s lives.     Our People are supported by regular support and guidance, and access to our Employee/Volunteer Assistance Programme.