Joining a community or voluntary organisation can seem a little overwhelming but the key is it to sit back, listen, ask questions and most importantly not to panic- that’s the advice from Liz Fenton, Manager of the Maine Valley Resource Centre.
Liz has spent over six years working with volunteers in Maine Valley including the ten strong voluntary Board of Management, staff in CE schemes and the Rural Social Scheme. Maine Valley also has a staff of five full time equivalent posts.
For Liz the key to volunteer management is ensuring everyone feels part of the team: “We have always taken the approach that everyone is equal. Of course you have to be aware that some of the team are not being paid, they are volunteering their time and expertise. That’s why is so important they are given the flexibility they need to be able to contribute and that it is a rewarding experience for them as well as us.”
Set up in 1998 with the help of Government funding the Maine Valley Family Resource Centre has gone from strength to strength, increasing not only the breadth of services it offers but also expanding the catchment area is covers to include communities in Farranfore, Firies, Castlemaine, Milltown Keel, Annascaul and Inch. That is a population of over 9,000.
“I am so aware that we could not do the work that we do without our volunteers. Each volunteer brings something different to the centre, they all bring different interests too -whether that be disabilities, lone parents, unemployment. Every one of them helps to bring a different dynamic to our services,” Liz explained.
“A lot of our volunteers are local people so they bring an abundance of local knowledge, it really enhances and helps everything that we do,” she added.
Given the huge role played by volunteers in Maine Valley Liz is aware that it’s vital to do it right from the beginning: “A volunteer is as valuable as any paid member of staff as such they go through the same recruitment and induction process.
“Once we have people in and working with us we try to keep the same approach, we want our volunteers to see that they are valued in whatever capacity they come. Make sure they are not forgotten in the process,” she added.
All the volunteers who come to Maine Valley are encouraged and supported in their personal development, with many choosing to take part in the programmes and courses that take place in the centre itself or in its outreach centres.
And it’s quite an extensive range of personal development options on offer. The centre breaks down its services into a number of key areas- community programmes, education and childcare.
Its childcare services in particular provide a flexible lifeline to local families. The centre currently cares for 30 pre-school children and have 60 children registered for it’s after schools programme. This is in addition to kids camps over the holidays, learning and literacy for pre-schoolers, parents & toddlers groups and the regular ‘Wibbly Wobbly Wonders’ music and movement classes for babies and toddlers. Some of the services are even run on a donation basis.
Under its community and education programme Maine Valley offer one-to-one counselling services, family support services, mental health & well being courses and safe talks on an outreach basis in locations around the catchment area.
Maine Valley prides itself on bringing it’s services out into the community using locations across mid-Kerry to run everything from gardening and first aid to personal development programmes.
“One of the reasons we expanded was to bring services back out to the community, bringing people what the want closer to home. It also gives them more choice as to where they want to engage with us,” Liz explained.
“The big advantage is that it is local, based in their own community and they have a say in the services that are provided.” she added.
From the main base in Castlemaine, Maine Valley also provides support to various community groups ranging for Youth Clubs and Men’s Shed to community councils and LGBT organisations, providing them with a place to meet and general administration support including a computer room, notice boards, access to the internet and photocopying.
“A lot of the work we do is around communication, signposting where people need to go, referring them to the right services or simply providing information,” Liz revealed.
With such a vast range of services and a wide geographical area Liz is well aware of the vital role played by volunteers in keeping the community services where they are needed most.
“It takes a lot of support to provide the services that we do, we couldn’t run without their help. We rely on our volunteers to enable us to do more in our outreach services particularly.”
“People like our Parents Associations who open and close buildings for us- it is a real community effort,” she added.
Some of the Maine Valley volunteers work throughout the year, with others coming on board for a specific project or even a one-off fundraising effort. Every one of them is valued.
“A voluntary effort like we have here doesn’t happen over night it takes time to build it up- to be known in all the different areas. They now recognise the work that we do, they know the people who are volunteering with us, they trust us and that makes them much more likely to engage across the board,” she added.
Liz accepts that coming into such a big organisation, covering such a vast geographical area can be challenging for volunteers, even down to simple things like where funding for the different projects comes from or the terminology used.
“I’d always encourage our volunteers to sit back, listen and ask questions- the most important thing is not to panic. It can take a while to settle into any community organisation,” Liz advised.
“Don’t be turned off if you feel it’s overwhelming. There is always someone around to talk to and it will only take a little time before you become familiar with it- before you feel part of the team,” added Liz.
“I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all the volunteers at Maine Valley for their commitment and hard work over the years.” she concluded.
Written by Mary Murhpy.
If you are interested in volunteering or would like to find out further information see our list of Volunteer Opportunities or contact Kerry Volunteer Centre on 0667117966.
