Volunteer Opportunities

Housework and/or Food Preparation - Regular Support

Organisation:
Location:
Category:
Hours:

We would love to have new volunteers join our Outreach team and help us to make a significant difference in the quality of life of someone impacted by chronic illness. We have clients throughout Canterbury who cannot get support with housework through the health system, but this support would be life changing for them. Can you help? Tell us what areas would suit you and how often, and we can match you up.

Did you know? People with ME/CFS, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis /Chronic Fatigue Syndrome have a reduced level of functionality that means they cannot complete normal activities of daily living. An additional burden is that doing too much physically or mentally can trigger Post-Exertional Malaise – a worsening of symptoms that can last for days or more.

Many of our clients struggle with domestic chores such as:

  • tidying
  • washing dishes
  • vacuuming
  • cleaning surfaces, floors and windows
  • washing, drying and folding laundry
  • changing bed linen
  • preparing food

Specific tasks to be discussed and agreed between volunteer and client. Volunteers are free to indicate what they are willing to do and what they are not.

We are able to cover travel costs if required, including bus fee or car travel at the IRD Tier 2 rate per km (currently 31 cents per km).

Requirements:
  • Non-judgmental
  • Reliable
  • Respectful and empathetic
  • Open to guidance and requests from client
  • Enjoy cleaning and tidying
  • Some basic food preparation skills

Please send an email to volunteering@mecfscanterbury.nz, answering the following prompts, for us to consider you for this role:

  1. What drives you to volunteer?
  2. Do you know anyone with ME/CFS or Long Covid?
  3. What roles would you be open to, and what experience do you have for this?
  4. What suburbs do you prefer to work in?
  5. How do you travel? Do you need travel reimbursement?
  6. How frequently, at what time of day and what session length would you prefer?
  7. Are you happy to carry out health and safety behaviours (be vaccinated, wear a mask, if unwell take a RAT test), if the client requests?
  8. Are you happy to carry out a police check (we ask this of all of our volunteers, due to the nature of this work)?
  9. Is there anything else you want to let us know?
  10. What contact number do you prefer using?

A Police background check is required for this role.

Time commitment:

We request that volunteers commit to helping for at least 3 months to make the onboarding process worth everyone's time.

What suits you?

  • Monthly /Fortnightly /Weekly visits?
  • Visits from one hour to four hours?

If a regular commitment is not suitable, please consider volunteering for one-off practical help (we have another listing for this). We have clients that would appreciate support with housework prior to a house inspection or family visiting, or just because it is time.

Getting started:
The first step is to express your interest by filling out the form below. We will then put you in touch directly with the organisation for more information on the role and how to proceed.

Ref: 509

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In applying for this position I confirm that I have read the requirements of the position and believe I have the skills and attributes required to carry out this role safely and effectively.

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