Case study 3: Christine

christine volunteer case study

Christine visited the Volunteer Centre Salford stall in Eccles during Volunteers` Week 2015 and was asked if she would be interested in volunteering in care homes - Christine was keen from the start! Christine attended the volunteering in care homes induction training which included the Six Degrees `emPowered conversations` training course which gives new skills in innovative communication techniques when conversing with people with dementia.

As Christine has some health conditions she has been unable to work for a couple of years which was initially very difficult for her and made her lose confidence:

“Psychologically I wondered what I was worth as I could no longer work. I wasn`t doing anything. I didn`t feel like I was doing what I should be doing for society, and for my community. My brain was active, but my body was holding me back.”

As a result of feeling like this, Christine became involved with the Health Improvement Service who helped Christine on the road to recovery and helped her set up a community support group which helps people of all ages with health conditions. This activity has empowered and motivated Christine to become involved in more community projects and volunteering opportunities.

Christine completed the volunteering in care homes project and was interested in becoming a Wellbeing Champion and helping older people in communities think about their wellbeing as they age. This role appeals to Christine as she enjoys being a connector in the community.

Christine volunteers several times a week at Postural Stability and Step Up exercise classes where she meets and greets the older people who attend and helps them to understand and complete their Wellbeing Plans.The classes are run by Salford Community Leisure who provide seated exercises for older people who have suffered a fall.

Christine also volunteers as a Digital Champion helping older people to learn computer skills and she is a befriender for Cyril Flint where she visits an older person to give them some company. Christine says:

“Volunteering gives me the opportunity to give back to someone. That I have a life with a purpose. It gives me something to look forward to, I enjoy it. Some of the training I have received has been helpful. I`ve been able to use my skill set, I`m a natural born co-ordinator, and I like being around people, talking to older people and hearing their stories. I enjoy being around older people who can share information and history. I love talking to people and by volunteering I`m doing what I love.”

Volunteering with support has given Christine more confidence and her association with Salford CVS and Volunteer Centre Salford has enabled her to apply for funding via Salford CVS. Christine secured some funding through the Salford Together Neighbourhood Fund which enabled her to organise and manage a wellbeing event for older people from her local community. Christine has actively recruited local older people to volunteer and some of them have also become Wellbeing Champions! Christine says:

“I`m more confident. I felt like I was doing my job again. Work now seems more manageable, like it`s something that can happen. I would love to get back into part-time work in the community. Seeing people grow and the community flourish.”

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Salford CVS is the city-wide infrastructure organisation for the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector; providing specialist information, advice, development support and opportunities for influence and collaboration.