Forum Discussion

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Wendy 10th Mar 2018 Lifestyle/Care Worker

HI everyone, I have just recently changed positions from care worker to lifestyle assistant in a residential facility in the Valley View SA area. I have been there now for bit short of 4 months and in that time our coordinator decided to resign and left us all in limbo. All computer resources were non existant. In conjuction with the facility manager we have been doing our best to keep the lifestyle activities going and try get documentation back in order. What I need help with is: 1) I would like to get access to volunteers (how and where can I go to help with this) and 2) We have been raising funds to take residents on a bus outing as it was one of the top resident survey requests. I have heard that it may be possible to access buses via local council. If this is so I would love to hear feeback from anyone who has done so on how I go about to organise this. Thanks in advance.

Solange 15th Mar 2018 Diversional Therapist

Hi Wendy, here are a few tips.
--Advertise on the Community Board of your local Church/Synagogues
--Advertise in the local High School (intergenerational)
--Mail out flyers to residents’ family letting them know your facility is seeking volunteers and whether they have an hour a week to help.
--Use government volunteers’ services. They provide volunteers from different countries to cater for multicultural residents.

Solange 15th Mar 2018 Diversional Therapist

Hi Wendy, buses are expensive and therefore accessing a council bus makes things less complicated. They usually provide the driver as well, and if not, get a volunteer (well qualified) to drive it. They charge a fee for it but it is less expensive than hiring a private bus.

Ema 21st Mar 2018 Activities Coordinator

I don't know what it's like outside the UK, but what when I started my role was introduce myself to all the local businesses and explained what I did and hoped they could help for events coming up. I sent them and events calendar for the year, this included fairs, coffee mornings trips planned and explained without outside help all these very small but essential for their self esteem and mindset wouldn't happen. It worked we had the fire brigade police attend the fairs we had what ever relatives help and contribute. We do a raffle carvery few weeks depending in the time of year and that raises funds. In the UK we have local councils that assist from their budgets or contribute. Good luck

Morgan 23rd Mar 2018 Activity Director

I do not have a lot of specific advice for you, but I just wanted to let you know that it will get better! The same thing happened to me, and it was hard, but we got through it. I was actually able to take more resident feedback that way and incorporate more that they liked and take out what they did not really care for. I currently only have two volunteers at my facility, but they are very quality. One is the daughter-in-law of a former resident who continues to come in for bingo twice a week, and the other is my very well and fit 82 year old grandmother who is very creative, artsy, and handy. They both love coming in because they love the connections that they make with the residents and love to chat with them!

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