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Author: deborah

President Catherine Connolly announced as Patron of Friends of the Elderly Ireland

Friends of the Elderly Ireland is delighted and deeply honoured to announce that President of Ireland, Catherine Connolly, has become Patron of Friends of the Elderly Ireland. The patronage marks a very special moment in our history and comes as Friends of the Elderly continues its work to ensure that older people experiencing loneliness and […]

Research

Loneliness Among Older Men in Western And Eastern Europe Friends of the Elderly commissioned this important research in partnership with TASC to better understand the experience of loneliness among older men across Ireland, Poland and Romania. The findings highlight that loneliness is often a hidden issue, shaped by life changes such as retirement, bereavement, declining […]

Amazon – Christmas Connections

Amazon Video

Going into this year’s Christmas season, Friends of the Elderly is honoured to partner with Amazon Ireland on their beautiful short film “Christmas Connections.” This film shines a gentle light on something we see every day in our community—the profound difference a simple connection can make in the life of an older person. Through the […]

Christmas Appeal 2025

Michael from Friends of the Elderly

Friendship the best Gift you can Give. For so many older people, the loneliness feels sharper, the silence heavier. While the world fills with light and celebration, they are left in the shadows—feeling invisible, forgotten, and completely alone. For Michael, this was his reality.When we first spoke to him, he told us, “I felt as […]

Look Back at 2024 with Friends of the Elderly

Thank you to everyone for making 2024 a special year_

What a busy and exciting year 2024 turned out to be for Friends of the Elderly! We packed in so much, creating memories, strengthening friendships, and having plenty of fun along the way. We kicked things off in February with a special visit from Marty Morrissey and the RTÉ cameras to our Bolton Street hall. […]

How to be happy as you grow older: ‘Get out and keep going’

Irish Times

To mark International Day of Happiness, some of our wonderful members – Georgina, Christy, and Ellen – shared their thoughts on what happiness means to them as they grow older. They were featured in a lovely Irish Times article that highlights the importance of staying connected, active, and positive in later life. We’re so proud […]

Friendship, Memories, and Moments of Joy

Irish Independent

In this heartwarming Irish Independent video, our members Brian and Ellen share what Friends of the Elderly means to them. Brian, a retired postman who joined us last September, reflects on the 39 years of happiness he shared with his late wife and the importance of cherishing joy and connection, especially on International Day of […]

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Friends of the Elderly Ireland

25 Bolton Street
Dublin 1
Ireland
Phone: +353 (0) 1 873 1855
Email: info@friendsoftheelderly.ie
RCN: 20034276

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© 2024 Friends of the Elderly Ireland. Charity number: CHY 12003 RCN: 20034276
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Friends of the Elderly Ireland

Volunteer Confidentiality And Self Declaration Agreement

Friends of the Elderly is committed to respecting the privacy and confidentiality of all its members and safeguarding vulnerable groups. Volunteers must respect the professional relationship that exists between volunteers and members and work according to the Professional Boundaries Policy.

To be signed by the Volunteer and the Volunteer Coordinator

1. I understand that through my work with the organisation and its members, I may be exposed to sensitive, personal and confidential information.

  • I agree to maintain the confidentiality of all such information and will not disclose it to anyone outside the organisation without the express permission of the member and the staff member responsible for my supervision.
  • If a befriending relationship with a member ends, I agree to delete any personal contact details (e.g., phone number, address, email) and will not initiate further contact through any means.
  • If a member contacts me after the relationship ends, I will inform the Volunteer Coordinator immediately.
  • I agree to treat all members with respect and to maintain appropriate boundaries and a professional relationship at all times.
  • I understand that I must not reveal the identity of members or discuss any information about them outside of my volunteering role.

2. Self-Declaration

To the best of my knowledge and belief, there is nothing in my conduct, character, or personal background that would affect my suitability to serve as a volunteer with Friends of the Elderly or compromise the trust placed in me.

3. Acknowledgment

  • I understand that a breach of this agreement, including any failure to maintain confidentiality or to uphold appropriate boundaries, may result in the termination of my volunteer role with Friends of the Elderly.

By signing below, I confirm that I have read, understood, and agree to comply with the terms of this Confidentiality and Self-Declaration Agreement.

Friends of the Elderly Ireland

Code of Conduct for Volunteers

The purpose of the Code of Conduct for Volunteers is to set out standards of behaviour expected from volunteers of Friends of the Elderly Ireland (Little Brothers) Limited (‘FOTE’). All volunteers should ensure that they have read and comply with this Code of Conduct.

Volunteers should maintain the highest standards of behaviour in the performance of their duties by:

  • Fulfilling their role as outlined in their written volunteer role description to a satisfactory standard;
  • Performing their volunteer role to the best of their ability in a safe, efficient and competent way;
  • Following the charity’s policies and procedures as well as any instructions or directions reasonably given to them;
  • Acting honestly, responsibly and with integrity;
  • Treating others with fairness, equality, dignity and respect;
  • Raising concerns about possible wrongdoing witnessed by the volunteer in the course of the volunteer’s role with FOTE with the coordinator and the Manager;
  • Meeting time and task commitments and providing sufficient notice when they will not be available so that alternative arrangements can be made;
  • Acting in a way that is in line with the purpose and values of the charity and that enhances the work of the charity;
  • Communicating respectfully and honestly at all times;
  • Observing safety procedures, including any obligations concerning the safety, health and welfare of other people in line with training provided to volunteers;
  • Reporting any health and safety concerns;
  • Directing any questions regarding FOTE’s policies, procedures, support or supervision to the volunteer’s supervisor;
  • Addressing any issues or difficulties about any aspect of their role or how they are managed in line with FOTE’s grievance procedures;
  • Declaring any interests that may conflict with their role or the work of the charity (e.g. business interests or employment). If any doubt arises as to what constitutes a conflict of interest, volunteers may seek guidance from the Coordinator or the Manager;
  • Keeping confidential matters confidential;
  • Exercising caution and care with any documents, material or devices, containing confidential information and at the end of their involvement with FOTE returning any such documents, or material in their possession;
  • Seeking authorisation before communicating externally on behalf of FOTE
  • Maintaining an appropriate standard of dress and personal hygiene;
  • Disclosing the fact that they have been charged with, or convicted of a criminal offence by prosecuting authorities (or given the benefit of the Probation of Offenders Act 1907 as amended) to the Manager. For the avoidance of doubt, volunteers are not required to disclose the fact or details of ‘spent convictions’ under the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions and Certain Disclosures) Act 2016 (as amended) to FOTE.

 

Volunteers are expected NOT to:

  • Bring the charity into disrepute (including through the use of email, social media and other internet sites, engaging with media etc.);
  • Seek or accept any gifts, rewards, benefits or hospitality in the course of their role;
  • Engage in any activity that may cause physical or mental harm or distress to another person (such as verbal abuse, physical abuse, assault, bullying, or discrimination or harassment on the grounds of gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race or membership of the Traveller community);
  • Be affected by alcohol, drugs, or medication which will affect their abilities to carry out their duties and responsibilities while volunteering;
  • Provide a false or misleading statement, declaration, document, record or claim in respect of FOTE, its volunteers, employees or charity trustees;
  • Engage in any activity that may damage property;
  • Take unauthorised possession of property that does not belong to them.
  • Engage in illegal activity while carrying out their role.
  • Improperly disclose, during or after their involvement with FOTE ends, confidential information gained in the course of their role with FOTE.

 

Where a volunteer is found to be in breach of the standards outlined in this Code of Conduct or any of FOTE’s other policies and procedures this may result in the volunteer’s position being terminated. Volunteers acknowledge that no employment relationship is created in the context of their role with FOTE.

The board of Directors will review the Code of Conduct for Volunteers at 3-year intervals or as appropriate. The Manager is responsible for ensuring that this policy is implemented effectively. All other staff and volunteers, including charity trustees, are expected to facilitate this process.

Friends of the Elderly Ireland

Code of Conduct for Members

The purpose of the Code of Conduct for members of Friends of the Elderly Ireland (FOTE) is to set out standards of behaviour expected of each member.  As a member, you are required to read and comply with this Code of Conduct.

Members should maintain the highest standards of behaviour whilst accessing FOTE services by:

  • Acting honestly, responsibly and with integrity;
  • Treating others with fairness, equality, dignity and respect;
  • Communicating respectfully and honestly at all times with other members, staff, volunteers and all persons who interact with FOTE;
  • Observing safety procedures, including obligations concerning the safety, health and welfare of other people;
  • Reporting any health and safety concerns immediately to staff and/or The General Manager;
  • Directing complaints about any aspect of FOTE services to The General Manager;
  • Seeking authorisation before communicating externally on behalf of FOTE;
  • Maintaining an appropriate standard of dress and personal hygiene;
  • Disclosing the fact that they have been charged with, or convicted of, a criminal offence by prosecuting authorities (or given the benefit of the Probation of Offenders Act 1907 as amended) to the General Manager. This is important as it may have implications for accessing services due to engagement with young people and vulnerable adults.

 

Members are NOT to:

  • Engage in any activity that may cause physical or mental harm or distress to another person (such as verbal abuse, physical abuse, assault, bullying, or discrimination or harassment on the grounds of gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race or membership of the Traveller community);
  • Engage in any activity that may damage FOTE property;
  • Take unauthorised possession of property that does not belong to them;
  • Engage in illegal activity whilst accessing services;

Where a member is found to be in breach of the standards outlined in this Code of Conduct, this may result in services being withdrawn.