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Look back on 2023 with Friends of the Elderly

When: 08 Jan 2024

As the tree and decorations are packed away for another year, it is the perfect opportunity to look back on 2023 and all we achieved and to look forward to new adventures in 2024..

During 2023 we continued to experience an increase in demand for our services and we are so grateful that we could offer the support and friendship to our new members.

We looked at our activities and it became clear that we would need to expand our programs to meet the growing demand.

With this in mind, we launched the first of our five day trips in February 203, with a trip to Glendalough.    Whilst it was a cold and crisp morning our members enjoyed the beautiful sights of Powerscourt Waterfall, a stroll in Glendalough followed by lunch by the fire.

In June we visited the Old Rectory Gardens in Wicklow for our garden party and best hat competition – this year the winner was a gentleman, with a very entertaining entry – so our ladies will need to be a little more creative this year!!!   Our further day trips saw us visit, Belfast, Waterford and Carlingford – and as always the bus was filled with song and laughter – and very tired feet on the way home after all the dancing along to the entertainment after dinner.

Along with the increase in the number of day trips, we increased the number of mini-breaks to 3.  In Spring we headed to Wexford, in early summer our members enjoyed the beautiful sunshine in Bundoran and to finish we travelled to Waterford to enjoy the Christmas themed events.

We continued with our monthly cabarets which are always a favourite with our members  – and any corporate volunteers we may have on the day can’t believe how much fun these days are.   Alongside our cabaret days, we also hosted themed social clubs to celebrate special occasions and one such event was for St. Patrick’s Day – with a prize for the best “Patricia” & “Patrick” – any excuse for our members to dress up.  Easter saw, Easter Bonnets with bunny ears and flashing lights – it is a sight that none of us will easily forget!

We were again delighted to be invited, along with our colleagues from Dunboyne Friends of the Elderly to meet with President Higgins and attend a summer garden party at Áras an Uachtaráin.  

We continued with our Tuesday Coffee morning, Wednesday social club, Chair Yoga on Friday and our new version bingo – “wingo” on a Friday afternoon.    We introduced a new Active Afternoon on a Thursday with gentle exercises.

We reviewed our Technology Clubs and began a new approach to encourage our members to get involved with technology.   We had two visits to Microsoft for a one-to-one training session tailored to our members’ needs, along with a trip to Google.   Our trip to Ancestry Ireland proved such a successful day even for those members who don’t normally even use a phone!   We understand through our Council of Members that the lack of technology training for older people lead to issues with everyday tasks – shopping, banking and just staying connected.  So stay tuned we have great plans for 2024 in this area!

We celebrated UNIDOP Day with a cabaret here in Bolton Street, along with a wonderful  party in the Maldron Hotel for those members who struggle with mobility issues – it was an event tailored to their specific needs and one which brought a smile to many faces.

We continued with our lunch and learn series and introduced many speakers to our members.   Our community Gardai from Store Street hosted a number of these sessions to ensure that our members felt safe in their community and at home.

There was great excitement here in November, when the Gardai truck, Garda Cars and Garda Vans pulled up and 25+ musicians from the Garda Band played a host of favourite tunes for our members … the hall rocked and we look forward to welcoming the Garda Band again in 2024.

Christmas as always is such a magical time here in Friends of the Elderly and we try to bring a touch of Christmas into the lives of all our members.   With a delivery of  Christmas Hampers to our members throughout Ireland, two Christmas parties, one in the Hilton, Kilmainham and the second in the Bonnington Hotel – were amazing.   Our parties reached the Irish Times who covered the event.

We finished our year on Wednesday the 20th of December with a surprise party for our members with fabulous live music by “Little Elvis”, the singing, laughing and stories of this day were covered by Evelyn O’Rourke for the Claire Byrne show.

All of these activities would not be possible without your support and the time you give to Friends of the Elderly – we thank you.

For our friends that we lost during 2023, it was a privilege that we could call you our friends and we cherish the fond memories that you left behind.

Wishing you a very peaceful, healthy  and Happy 2024.

Watch on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/friendsoftheelderly/videos/352851344133721/

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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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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.