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Do Something

Do Something - Challenge Ageism and Prevent Elder Abuse Workshops

Everyone, no matter what age, young or old, can play a part in challenging ageism and preventing elder abuse.

Age Action Ireland, in association with Cosc (The National Office for the prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence), are raising awareness of ageism and elder abuse and what you can do to help prevent it.

Intergenerational workshops were held in October 2013 and November 2015 to raise awareness of the issues around elder abuse and ageism with people of all ages. In particular, it was targeted at younger people and people who work with younger people (e.g. youth workers, teachers etc.) so that awareness and prevention would be encouraged from as young an age as possible. The "Do Something - Challenge Ageism & Prevent Elder Abuse" leaflet (link below) sets out the facts around elder abuse and ageism and what you can do to help prevent it.

The Challenge Ageism & Prevent Elder Abuse leaflet

For more information about this initiative, please contact

info@ageaction.ie
Tel. 01 4756989
Fax. 01 4756011

The National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence

Note: Links to external websites are included on this page. Age Action is not responsible for the contents of external websites.

Age Action Awarded Investing In Volunteers National Quality Standard

Age Action is delighted to announce that we have been awarded the Investing in Volunteers quality standard. Investing in Volunteers (IiV) is the national quality standard for good practice in volunteer management in Ireland.

The Investing in Volunteers standard assesses the organisation’s volunteering programme in six areas: vision for volunteering, planning for volunteers, volunteer inclusion, recruiting and welcoming volunteers, supporting volunteers, and valuing and developing volunteers. As part of the process, we completed a self-assessment of our volunteering programme, and with the assistance of an Investing in Volunteers mentor, we then put together an improvement plan. Over the course of the assessment forty of our volunteers were interviewed as well as staff and board members.

Every year, hundreds of people volunteer with Age Action in our Getting Started digital literacy programme, and with our Care and Repair DIY Service. We would like to thank all of our wonderful volunteers who bring their time, energy and skills to Age Action and are the reason that our volunteering programme is so impactful. Volunteers are at the heart of our programmes and services at Age Action and without our volunteers we couldn’t fulfil our mission to support older people to live full and independent lives. Achieving the Investing in Volunteers quality standard shows our commitment to providing an experience that reflects how much we value our volunteers.

Here’s what some of our Volunteers said as part of the process:

‘I’ve gained a lot of skills from volunteering.  It has built my confidence in teamworking and communication.’

‘It keeps me active being able to help people and improve their quality of life’. 

‘I think they’ve got it just right with the amount of information to keep you in touch.  The monthly newsletter let’s you see what’s going on”.

“Emails keep you informed.  They are very willing to take suggestions on board, they encourage you to give them feedback’.

Going through the Investing in Volunteers process has helped us to review and improve our volunteering programme in its entirety, from how we recruit, train and support volunteers, to how we communicate with and involve our volunteers at all levels of the organisation. As we celebrate achieving the standard, we reiterate our commitment to providing the best possible volunteering experience for our volunteers who make an incredible difference in the lives of those older people we serve.