The Leonard Cheshire Foundation exists to serve disabled people worldwide and to change attitudes toward disability. Marina Hoey is their Volunteer Support Manager in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Here she tells how volunteering can be a very positive experience in a person’s life. Phone contact: 02890 246247 and email: marina.hoey@lc-uk.org
It’s official – those who do good unto others not only secure their place in heaven but manage to secure a few more years on earth, too!! People who leave a legacy to charity are rewarded with a lifespan three years longer than those who don’t (82 years instead of the national average of 79 years) (1), and, according to a study in the journal Psychology Science, seniors who give emotional or practical support to others can reduce their risk of dying prematurely by as much as 60%, compared with those who don’t. So, if your mortality is starting to enter your thoughts, or you simply want to have fun and help others, then please think about volunteering.
Read on……
One survey found that volunteering was the second greatest source of individual joy, behind dancing
Apart from the above what motivates people to volunteer?
Well, the main motivation is quite simply wanting to help other people, closely followed by wanting to try something new. For others, primarily younger volunteers, it is one way of gaining experience, training and improving their CV or university application. These days employers look for more than just qualifications, they’re interested in your personal qualities and transferable skills such as time management and communication. You don’t have to have learned those things in paid work – the skills and experience you develop outside work are just as useful. Interestingly, though, a study by the Millennium Project found that 80% of student volunteers continue volunteering after they leave college. Once you try volunteering, you tend to get the bug.
So, if you would like to drink less, smoke less and have more sex !!! (3) then come and volunteer for the UKs largest voluntary provider of support for people with disabilities, Leonard Cheshire. In Northern Ireland the charity provides independent and semi-independent living, care at home services, rehabilitation services, training and a resource centre. Volunteering opportunities are endless – from befriending to gardening to driving to helping set up a computer for someone at home, whatever your interest or skill is, they can accommodate it gladly. Leonard Cheshire takes its commitment to volunteers very seriously: it provides first class training to all volunteers with the support and guidance of a dedicated Volunteer Support Manager, who is at the end of a phone and ready to help.
Connie has just started volunteering at The Garden Project in Omagh and is really enjoying the role:
‘Volunteering has really made a difference to my life – I get so much out of it. It’s a great opportunity to learn new skills, make friends and give something back to the community.’
My own experience as Volunteer Support Manager in Belfast bears this out. Once people start volunteering they get hooked. It’s a very positive experience for all concerned and let’s face it – it needs to be enjoyable for the volunteer, they aren’t getting paid after all! We have a number of long- and short-term volunteering opportunities at our services in Belfast, Lurgan, Londonderry and Omagh and I would encourage anyone interested to come and visit or to contact me. There are plenty of ways that you could combine your skills and hobbies with working to support disabled people in your area. Volunteering for Leonard Cheshire is enjoyable and fulfilling – we know this, because that’s what our volunteers tell us!
Volunteers have always been crucial to our success and remain a vital part of our organisation. The high value that we place on our volunteers is reflected in the well-developed programme of support that we make available which includes induction to Leonard Cheshire so that you can learn about the organisation and settle in, get training and support, develop a clear idea of your role and have opportunities to meet other volunteers. This helps to ensure that your experience of volunteering will be enjoyable and rewarding. Training will include workshops, videos and group discussions – all designed to provide new participants with the skills and confidence needed to work with disabled people.”
Leonard Cheshire promotes diversity in volunteering and welcomes volunteer applications from disabled and non-disabled people from all sectors of the community.
For further information on the induction scheme and volunteering opportunities with Leonard Cheshire please contact Marina Hoey, Volunteer Support Manager, on 02890 246247 or email marina.hoey@lc-uk.org
NOTES
1. Research by Richard Radcliffe, legacy expert, 2001
2. Make A Difference Day Survey, ICM Research 2004.
3. A Community Service Volunteer survey reported that one in five 18-24 year olds reported an improvement in their sex lives after involvement in volunteering.
