Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer lawn mower-Kaiapoi

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We are looking for a volunteer to join our Outreach team to help support a person lives in Kaiapoi, who owns a lawn mower but needs help with completing the task. The client lives with severe chronic illness that restricts her ability to manage the garden.

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. We want to lessen the stress of undone chores and believe that a tidy garden can bring them a bit of joy. Specific tasks to be discussed and agreed between volunteer and client.

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.

Volunteers are free to indicate what they are willing to do and what they are not. Tasks may include:

  • mowing the lawn
  • weeding
  • planting
  • pruning
  • disposing of garden waste

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.

Requirements:
  • Reliable
  • Respectful and empathetic
  • Open to guidance and requests from client
  • Reasonable knowledge of plants and garden care

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:

Any help, monthly, would be appreciated.

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: 866

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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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