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.
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 to care for their garden. Which is such a shame as they spend a lot of time at home and a garden can bring them a lot of joy.
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.
Tasks may include:
We are able to cover pre-approved costs if required, including bus fee or car travel at the IRD Tier 2 rate per km (currently 31 cents per km). garden waste disposal fees, etc.
Please flick an email to eleanor.dunn@mecfscanterbury.nz, answering the following prompts, for us to consider you for this role:
-What drives you to volunteer?
-Do you know anyone with ME/CFS?
-What roles would you be open to? ie would you also be open to gardening, light meal preparation, housework, dog walking friendly calling, IT help?
-What suburbs do you prefer to work in?
-How do you travel? Do you need travel reimbursement?
-How frequently, at what time of day and what session length would you prefer?
-Are you happy to carry out public health behaviours (vaccination, masks, RAT tests), if the client requests?
-Are you happy to carry out a police check (we ask this of all of our volunteers, due to the nature of this work)?
-Is there anything else you want to let us know?
-What contact number do you prefer using?
We request that volunteers commit to helping for at least 3 months to make the onboarding process worth everyone's time.
What suits you?
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: 511
Gardening
Applicants for this role are required to undergo Police vetting.
You can find out more about this process on the Police website:
http://www.police.govt.nz/advice/businesses-and-organisations/vetting/information-about-vetting
Please NOTE that support of this nature in someone's home requires that you agree to having a Police Check completed.