We constantly need volunteers to help out with all aspects of our work. The success of our work depends on the enthusiasm and commitment of our volunteers. At present we have approximately 150 volunteers working with our elderly friends.
Dancing the night away!
There are many ways in which a volunteer can work with Friends of the Elderly:
1) Our Visitation Programme
The volunteer is introduced to an elderly friend in need of company and general social contact.
A phone call or a short weekly visit is all it takes to say ‘someone cares’. For many elderly it is their only contact with a friend and often these visits are the beginning of a warm relationship that lasts for years.
Sharing an umbrella
2) Full-time Volunteers
Three full-time volunteers together with the co-ordinator run the office in 25 Bolton Street. For this programme we welcome volunteers from foreign countries to assist in our full time work with the Elderly. These people are interested in working with the elderly whilst enjoying what our country has to offer. We are always delighted to hear from people from other countries that would like to help our old friends. Past volunteers have come from places such as Australia, Canada, The Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Japan, Russia, the USA, Spain, Poland, and Uruguay.
We would also like to invite volunteers from other branches of Little Brothers to consider becoming a volunteer in Ireland. Living in the heart of Dublin and serving the elderly.
We are always interested to hear from new people who would like to make a new friend. If you would like to see more information about the Full-time Volunteer Programme, please click here.
Volunteers in the Kitchen for Wednesday Club are suited out for our Cowboy Party
3) The Wednesday Club
Each week we need at least 10 committed volunteers to help with running the club. Serving tea and treats, arranging outings, theatre visits and various other activities for our elderly friends. Club time: Wednesdays 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Monkeying around on a trip to the zoo
4) Driver Volunteers
This group of volunteers offers themselves (and their car) to transport the elderly to and from events, the theatre, the club meetings, hospital appointments, etc.
Ice Cream?
5) Shop Volunteers
Be an assistant in "Ritzy Rags". These essential volunteers work in groups of 2 or 3 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm or 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm once a week (shop opening hours are Monday to Saturday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm)
Enjoying Grandparents Day
6) Fundraising Volunteers
"Ritzy Rags", our charity shop in Bolton Street is our main source of income. Managed by Mrs. Margaret Gray "Ritzy Rags" has been a major part of the life of Friends of the Elderly.
Our new fundraiser,Mr. Dermot Kirwan, has been very busy already organising several new events for us, such as a Grandparents' Day event in September and the Circle of Life Fun Run event in December. We really enjoyed such events and are planning to continue them annually.
With the guidance of our Fundraising Director, Ms Ciara Gorman and with the help of volunteers we also run various fundraising events throughout the year. Volunteers assist us with our annual Christmas appeal, which is launched in October.
Other fundraising events organised by volunteers include The Mini Marathon, Tennis Tournaments and Quiz Nights
Volunteers for the 2007 Friends of the Elderly Mini-Marathon
7) General Volunteers
Volunteers are always needed to accompany our elderly friends on day-trips, outings, holidays, etc. We are always interested to hear from new people who would like to make a new friend.
If you would like any further information on any of the areas of volunteering, please contact our office at 25 Bolton Street, Dublin 1 or call us on: 01 8731855.
Friends of the Elderly are setting up a Senior Citizens Darts League in Dublin. If you are a senior citizen and would like to join a darts team, give us a call.
