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An innovative bi-lingual oral history project was launched at Rhos Nursing Home, Malltraeth on Monday 20th November at 1. 30 pm. The project was headed by Vivien and Leslie Morey, volunteers for the Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme. (RSVP) 'The idea grew from the slide shows of local scenes we give at retirement homes all over Ynys Mon,' Leslie said. 'So many residents tell us fascinating stories about the places and also about their own lives in the past.' 'We want to record these tales and transform them into modules of oral history,' Vivienne added. 'These will be stored in the local Archive Department and also be available for showing in schools and at youth organisations on the island. In this way the past can be preserved.' The project has received funding from Medryn Mon Key Fund and support from Ynys Mon Archive Department. Nicola Thomas, Project Development
Officer for RSVP on Ynys Mon, said that recruitment of volunteers to help
with all parts of the project has just started. Anyone wishing to be involved in the project can contact Nicola Thomas on 0779699 1293 or by e mail nthomasrsvp@hotmail.co.uk Notes to editors PROJECT LINUS This new project, which has grown from the Benllech Group, is going from strength to strength. Project Linus is a scheme were people make quilted blankets from 4x4 cotton squares. Once completed they are donated to a terminal ill child. We have our 1st four quilts ready for donation in January. Our next meeting is the 3rd January 2006. Please contact Nicola if you would like to attend. No quilting skills needed. SCHOOLS We now have 36 schools volunteers, 10 of which are currently new recruits who are going through training and CRB checks. Thanks goes to Ann Winkle who has taken on more responsibility and is a great help to the schools project. Joy Mawby, schools organiser is also giving her time to train the schools volunteers and to raise funds for the scheme. Ian Wallace, a schools volunteer, has also taken an more responsibility by assisting Nicola with recruitment for RSVP schemes. Nicola would like to thank Ann, Joy and Ian for their extra support with the schools. Also a big thanks goes to all 36 volunteers as wonderful feedback has been received from the 'Big Lottery Fund', Local Education Authority and the head teachers. COMMUNITY
HEALTH WELL BEING Since September we have recruited 13 new volunteers, of which, 10 have become advisers and 3 have become befrienders. We are currently re-profiling the scheme to widen its scope. We are now recruiting service advisers. These new volunteers will be able to attend doctors surgeries, and after training, offer basic information about local agencies on the Island. We also have befrienders who visit clients in hospital, nursing homes and sheltered accommodation to offer a little extra support to the clients by listening, talking or accompany them when needed. For more information on CHWBAS call 01407 764141. |
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VOLUNTEERING
ROLES ADVISERS A CHWBAS adviser receives comprehensive, accredited training from the Citizens Advice Bureaux. The generalist adviser training course involves both in-bureau and external group training and working through workbooks with support from the Training Officer. Trainee advisers also sit in on advice sessions, and observe interviews conducted by trained advisers. They are part of the advice team from the beginning of their training.Once the course is completed advisers are able to advise clients on any subject covered by CAB's comprehensive Information System, initially with one to one supervision and thereafter with the support of a team adviser. It is a challenging and stimulating role which is valued highly by clients. Once full training is complete advisers have the opportunity to work in bureau and within the community on Anglesey. Advisers are encouraged to undertake ongoing training to ensure they keep their knowledge and skills up to date.
BEFRIENDER There are 3 ways that you can undertake this role. 1. You can become a volunteer befriender who will accompany a trained CAB Better Advice: Better Health adviser on home visits. You and the person you visit may then choose to build on this new friendship and continue befriending after the initial visit with the adviser.2. You can visit people in care settings such as hospitals or nursing homes. This volunteering role can range from chatting with patients/residents, to supporting them on hospital/ doctors visits. 3. You can befriend people on a one to one basis. These clients are referred to the scheme though G.P surgeries or social services.
SCHOOL PROJECT Our schools volunteers go into Primary or Secondary schools across Anglesey, to help with literacy, art, music, maths or physical education. All our volunteers will be supported by RSVP and would get full training.We also have a language and play scheme and a Youth Enterprise Project, which covers Primary and Secondary school. All our organisers get paid travelling expenses. Mrs Jones, a schools volunteer says that, "helping in their local schools is so rewarding, the children look forward to seeing me once a week. I'm like a friend to them".
We currently have various knitting groups across Anglesey. Our volunteers benefit from the knitting project because they get a chance to socialise with their friends once a month and make garments for local hospitals and nursing homes. We also send large amounts to Eastern Europe and Operation Christmas Child. We organise day trips out, arts and crafts demonstrations, which are set up in their local areas (i.e.) Beading, silk painting, and Christmas decorations
PROJECT LINUS Project Linus started in the UK in 2000. We are the first group to start on Anglesey (2005).We meet every first Tuesday of each month at Waen Dirion sheltered housing in Benllech. We have ladies that have never quilted before and ladies that are qualified too. Our aim is to make 100% cotton quits, that are made with tender love and care; these quilts are then given to terminally ill children locally. SERVICE ADVISERS Service Advisers will volunteer within doctors' surgeries on Anglesey. The Service Adviser is not a trained CAB adviser but a vital link between a potential client and the Citizens Advice Bureau.Service Advisers will have the opportunity to offer people assistance who may need to know locations, opening times and services that the Citizens Advice Bureau can offer. As well as this, a Service Adviser will be able to offer people information through a range of leaflets such as Winter Fuel Payments or Flu Jabs. |
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COMMUNITY
HEALTH, WELL-BEING ADVICE AND SUPPORT
(CHWBAS) The Community Health, Well Being Advice and Support Scheme has gone from strength to strength over the past 2 years. We currently have 15 advisers, at various stages of training, who have assisted over 200 clients. The befrienders have also been very active within their roles. We have monthly slide shows across Anglesey of our wonderful sights and local attractions. These are held at various care settings across the island and generate a wonderful discussion of 'Days Gone By'. We have volunteers who are helping on a one-to one basis, taking people out for walks or to the shops and also have volunteers who go into hospitals and care homes to talk to people who are often in their for the "long stay". Our thanks go out to you all. I hope you realise what wonderful feedback we get off the clients who receive your visits. YOU PUT THE SMILE ON THEIR FACES, AND RSVP THANK YOU. IF YOU OR SOME ONE YOU KNOW WOULD LIKE TO JOIN OUR TEAM THEN CALL US ON 01407 764141 FOR FUTHUR INFORMATION. Congratulations go to the CHWBAS training office. Shona who has recently given birth to a beautiful baby girl named Jasmine. SCHOOLS ORGANISER JOY MAWBY What a Lovely Job! One of the nicest things about being an RSVP School's Organiser is meeting such a variety of people in such diverse settings. If someone expresses an interest
in helping in a school, I visit I have met a writer whose window view includes a strange tree. She plans to write a story for children, The Strand of Dragons'. I have met retired nurses,
social workers, doctors, businessmen and women, I have visited converted barns, rectories, farmhouses, post offices, chapels and modern bungalows. The views from the windows those houses are spectacular - misty mountains, gorse covered fields, silver straits and wild breakers have all figured….and the gardens! Well, they're another story. Perhaps I'll write a piece entitled 'A Tour of RSVP Gardens' next time - maybe we could raise some money on Garden Walks! Just think, I enjoy all this for free. What a lovely job I have! Joy Mawby. Schools' Organiser |
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Schools
Volunteer Anne Winckle
The headmistress, Mrs Rhian Williams knew I had been a French teacher before I retired and wondered if I would like to introduce a third language to years five and six. Since September 2004 French lessons are part of the curriculum and I am regarded as a member of staff, welcomed into the staff room and invited to social events . This friendliness is reflected in the behaviour and attitude of the children. The children's Readiness to
respond is a tremendous Reward. The teaching of French to 'my' nine and ten year olds has been and remains an interesting and extremely worthwhile challenge. RSVP is more than appropriate in this case. |