March brings in the first signs of Spring and with it the optimism that the days are getting longer and the weather getting better. See how our Active Retirement Group have been staying active below:
Category Archives: Active Retirement Group
Occupational Wellness for Our Active Retirement Group
Continuing with our physical and mental wellness of our Active Retirement members we look at Occupational Wellness this week. Vocational, Professional, or Occupational Wellness is a feeling of satisfaction and fulfilment from your career, occupation, and work. It also means you maintain a good balance between your personal and professional lives. The ways of improving this are in the document below.
Intellectual Wellness for Our Active Retirement Group
Continuing with our physical and mental wellness of our Active Retirement members we look at Intellectual Wellness this week. Intellectual Wellness refers to active participation in scholastic, cultural, and community activities. The ways of improving this are in the document below.
Physical Wellness for Our Active Retirement Group
Our Active Retire Group cares about the physical and mental wellness of its members. This has continued during the restrictions due to COVID 19. While it has not been easy to maintain this we have found ways around it. Starting today, we will be regularly posting about Wellness for Seniors on our website. See the document below for information;
Drama in Our Active Retirement Group
There is a lot of drama in the Active Retirement Group right now… the good kind of drama that is! Our incredible volunteer, Karina, is reaching out to members over the phone and online to bring theatre, drama, and creativity to our new routines. This week, she reconnected the group to Drama through the 3 -C’s – Creativity, Character, and Confidence.
The first exercise is simple, she gave the following list of 5 words: Friends, Alive, Attitude, Lacking, and Grace. Members have 5 minutes to write how they connect and associate with each word. This could be a sentence, a paragraph, a poem, a memory, a history, a comedy, anything! The goal is to be creative, explore, and enjoy! No pressure and no judgement.
I can’t wait to see what they come up with!
A Look At What Our Active Retirement Group Have Been Doing
Our Active Retirement Group is having loads of fun despite adhering to the restrictions in place. They had a hilarious caption competition and also dabbled in some poetry, which can be seen below.
Active Retirement Workshop Volunteer
A safe place where people learn and grow,
that serves our needs and enriches our lives
in a supportive, fun and caring environment’
GENERAL WORKSHOP VOLUNTEER
Our organisation & the programme
Ozanam House is a community resource centre run by the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. It is located on the site of the original clothing and furniture warehouse in a building that has also been used by the Society for a variety of purposes for over 100 years. Since our opening in September 2002 we have continued to develop various programmes and projects aimed at addressing the issue of social exclusion as well as the many needs of the local community.
We organise activities like physical fitness programmes, board games, cross words, table quizzes, darts, bowls, bingo, and specific courses which vary over time – for example, Irish and How to Use your Mobile Phone. In addition, guest speakers on topics of relevance to the group are scheduled on a monthly basis. Outings are also organised on a monthly basis in consultation with the group. A Summer programme takes place in the month of July. But perhaps the most important function of the group is the social aspect as many of our members live alone. To reach our full potential and to achieve our goals in the group, we seek new volunteers from time to time to support the ARG co-ordinator deliver a quality and professional programme to the members.
Overview of the Volunteer Role
To identify your area of expertise and specific skills that can be used to facilitate a workshop (one-off or series) that would benefit the Active Retirement Group.
Examples of these are:
- Sports, Chair Yoga, Tai Chi, etc.
- Arts
- Cookery
- Crafts
- Music
- Dance
- Current Events
- Group Discussions
- First Aid
- Reflexology treatments
- Presentations
- Other area of relevance
Tasks
- To agree with the programme coordinator a workshop plan in advance
- To source materials to undertake the courses, these will be funded by the centre
- To prepare these courses in advance
- To ensure the room and space are prepared and ready for the participants in advance of the class starting
- To lead the class/workshop with the support at all times of the programme staff – class leaders and assistants
- To review activities with the programme coordinator implementing changes where necessary
- To follow the policies and procedures of Ozanam House which can be found in the induction pack or in the office
Time commitment
The exact times and dates of working will be agreed between the volunteer and the programme co-ordinator. The volunteer should consider committing to the time of the classes/workshops plus extra time for the planning and preparation of the classes/workshops. The Active Retirement Group meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10:30 – 12:30. However, due to social distancing restrictions these times may change.
Skills, Experience & Qualities Required
- Expertise and specific skill in an area of relevance to the centre
- Fun and Energy when teaching your skill to a group of people
- Ability to relate well to people and enjoy dealing with them
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Good organizational skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Self-confidence towards other people
- Patience, resilience, tolerance and flexibility
- Previous workshop experience is desirable but not essential
Training & Support
- The volunteer will have an initial meeting with the co-ordinator to receive a role-specific induction and to agree a timetable and schedule of duties in line with the volunteer role description
- The volunteer will receive support at all times of the programme staff – class leaders and assistants.
- Special support will be given by the programme coordinator in advance for planning the workshop.
Benefits
- Personal development
- Sharing knowledge that can help others enrich their lives
- Opportunity to work in and learn about a community resource centre
- Opportunity to build up valuable work experience
- Tea and coffee will be provided for all volunteers
If you have a skill or qualification in an area that you feel will benefit Ozanam House
please contact us!
A meeting will be arranged.
Contact
Kim Haugh
Email; admin@ozanamhouse.ie
Phone; 087 1836978
Weekly Update for Our Active Retirement 4th-10th of May
Our weekly Activity Pack for Seniors is now available in the document below. We are continuing our online supports until we can all meet up again in person.
As always, if you have any queries or just want to chat you can contact Jenna on activeretirement@ozanamhouse.ie or by phone at 087 6047103
Our Active Retirement Supports – This week’s Edition April 27th-May 3rd
We are continuing our online supports for our Active Retirement members. Here is this week’s version of the Activity Pack which also includes some previous material.
Each week will see new material and activities our members can enjoy. Be sure to get involved.
As always, if you have any questions or just feel the need to get in touch Jenna is available on 087 604 1703 or through email activeretirement@ozanamhouse.ie
Our Active Retirement Supports – This weeks Edition April 20th
We are continuing our online supports for our Active Retirement members. Here is this week’s version of the Activity Pack which also includes some previous material.
As always, if you have any questions or just feel the need to get in touch Jenna is available on 087 604 1703 or through email activeretirement@ozanamhouse.ie