Role Of Volunteers Research Articles

Redefining the role of near-peer student volunteers in children’s hospitals as paediatric patient mentors

Redefining the role of near-peer student volunteers in children’s hospitals as paediatric patient mentors

Proposing a model for integrating spontaneous volunteers in emergency response in Denmark

Spontaneous volunteerism is a controversial topic in emergency response. Even though professionals and spontaneous volunteers in emergency response have the common aim of aiding those in need, the Danish authorities' framework for involving spontaneous volunteers is very limited. This paper discusses how spontaneous volunteers’ contributions can be integrated into professional emergency response in Denmark, while ensuring professional guidance of this contribution. This paper applies a literature and document study, covering state-of-the-art research on the topic of professional interaction with spontaneous volunteers and the Danish emergency response system, including the role of volunteers, respectively. It is found that involvement of spontaneous volunteers is a professional responsibility, that involvement should be through established or expanding emergency response organisations and focus on tasks related to the common aim of aiding those in need. It is concluded that this can be achieved by applying one-point-of-contact for spontaneous volunteers (rather than division by sectoral responsibility), a registration system enabling access to relevant tasks for spontaneous volunteers, the deployment of a spontaneous volunteer facilitator going into dialogue with spontaneous volunteers to enrol them in professional response, and a humane rejection when it is necessary to reject the offer of help from spontaneous volunteers.

The royal Welsh agricultural society: Patronage and the reproduction of elites in rural Wales

This paper is concerned with the reproduction of rural elites and the role of volunteering and participation in rural civil society institutions. Set in the context of popular discourses of the gentleman farmer and the agricultural elite as historic (as opposed to contemporary) leaders in the countryside, this research extends longstanding debates on rural class politics and gentrification, and resonates with a renewed sociological interest in the elites in society. Focusing on senior volunteer roles in the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS), we explore the connections between social and cultural capital, the maintenance of moral boundaries, and the relationship of these processes with recruitment at the committee level. Our findings indicate that systems of patronage remain significant in rural contexts, and that these systems interrelate with professional and business fields, and with embedded social and intergenerational networks. Data depicts an organisation that is looking to balance the sustained benefits to organisational capacity brought through longstanding obligations of public service, duty, and family ties, with an acknowledged need to recognize diversity and foster inclusivity. This requirement, however, is largely articulated and confined to considerations of gender, age and to a lesser extent, multiculturalism.

Connecting urban and rural areas: the role and impact of student volunteers in the Blue Envelope Letters and Pen Pals Programme

Connecting urban and rural areas: the role and impact of student volunteers in the Blue Envelope Letters and Pen Pals Programme

Exploration of the Need for Posbindu PTM Health Volunteers During the Covid-19 Pandemic

The covid-19 pandemic has had a tremendous impact on every human being. All activities that cause crowds are not allowed to stop the spread of the covid-19 virus, including routine PTM Posbindu activities. The role of healthy volunteers is hampered and has an impact on its implementation. In carrying out their duties during a pandemic, health volunteers require special needs to ensure the success of PTM Posbindu activities. Explore the needs of PTM Posbindu health volunteers during the covid-19 pandemic. This research was qualitative research with a descriptive method, conducted by FGD and interviews and carried out on 7 informants, in the working area of ​​the Jetis Health Center Yogyakarta. Interviews were conducted with 1 informant from the Jetis Public Health Center Yogyakarta. In analyzing the data, this research uses open code 4.03 software. This shows that PTM Posbindu health volunteer needs in the form of the need for inspection tools, funding needs, skill training needs for health volunteers, and the need for health care tools to support. The pandemic condition has an impact on the termination of the implementation of PTM Posbindu activities.

Unemployed, Immigrant, and Older Asian Workers in a U.S.-Based Job-Training Program: Their Experiences and Well-Being, and Strategies for Reaching This Important Population

ABSTRACT The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is a U.S.-based job-training program that serves unemployed workers aged 55 and older with incomes at or below 125% of the federal poverty level. While federal funds are set aside to serve Asian workers in SCSEP, little is known about their characteristics and experiences. In response, this pilot study aimed to document the health, well-being, and experiences of older Asian SCSEP participants in Massachusetts through the completion of a survey. Respondents (N = 39) ranged in age from 58 to 73 and identified as either Chinese (72%) or Vietnamese (28%). All were immigrants, and almost all spoke a language other than English at home. Most reported “good” health as well as financial difficulties. They also stated that their supervisors in their placements were supportive. On average, respondents noted moderate interest in searching for a paid job after exiting SCSEP, although more reported interest in searching for a volunteer role. Key to the success of this study was a robust collaboration with a local human services organization with strong ties to the Chinese and Vietnamese communities. The findings highlight the importance of this growing group of older workers.

Facilitators and barriers of implementing end-of-life care volunteering in a hospital in five European countries: the iLIVE study

BackgroundEnd-of-life (EoL) care volunteers in hospitals are a novel approach to support patients and their close ones. The iLIVE Volunteer Study supported hospital volunteer coordinators from five European countries to design and implement an EoL care volunteer service on general wards in their hospitals. This study aimed to identify and explore barriers and facilitators to the implementation of EoL care volunteer services in the five hospitals.MethodsVolunteer coordinators (VCs) from the Netherlands (NL), Norway (NO), Slovenia (SI), Spain (ES) and United Kingdom (UK) participated in a focus group interview and subsequent in-depth one-to-one interviews. A theory-inspired framework based on the five domains of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) was used for data collection and analysis. Results from the focus group were depicted in radar charts per hospital.ResultsBarriers across all hospitals were the COVID-19 pandemic delaying the implementation process, and the lack of recognition of the added value of EoL care volunteers by hospital staff. Site-specific barriers were struggles with promoting the service in a highly structured setting with many stakeholders (NL), negative views among nurses on hospital volunteering (NL, NO), a lack of support from healthcare professionals and the management (SI, ES), and uncertainty about their role in implementation among VCs (ES). Site-specific facilitators were training of volunteers (NO, SI, NL), involving volunteers in promoting the service (NO), and education and awareness for healthcare professionals about the role and boundaries of volunteers (UK).ConclusionEstablishing a comprehensive EoL care volunteer service for patients in non-specialist palliative care wards involves multiple considerations including training, creating awareness and ensuring management support. Implementation requires involvement of stakeholders in a way that enables medical EoL care and volunteering to co-exist. Further research is needed to explore how trust and equal partnerships between volunteers and professional staff can be built and sustained.Trial registrationNCT04678310. Registered 21/12/2020.

Matching Motivation to Purpose: Relaunching the Art Institute of Chicago’s Volunteer Program

ABSTRACT As part of a broader evolution of our K-12 programming, the Art Institute of Chicago transitioned our docent program into a newly designed Volunteer Program, a process that was informed by rigorous research, reflection, and evaluation of our engagements with students and teachers. This case study offers a perspective on designing a new structure for volunteer engagement, including defining and aligning new volunteer roles to strategic priorities, the process for reinviting former volunteers to join the new program and matching them to roles, and an overview of a new onboarding and training program grounded in equity and inclusion.

Adding spontaneity to organizations – what hospice volunteers contribute to everyday life in German inpatient hospice and palliative care units: a qualitative study

BackgroundVolunteers have always been integral to hospice and palliative care. However, their roles have been left relatively undefined and broad.AimThis study aims to examine the role of hospice volunteers in German inpatient hospice and palliative care. The question we seek to answer is: What do hospice volunteers contribute to everyday life in inpatient hospice and palliative care units?MethodsWe undertook a multicenter, on-site qualitative interview study, utilizing problem-centered interviews with 16 volunteers from five inpatient hospice units and one hospital palliative care unit. Interviews were analyzed using grounded theory.ResultsAnalysis of the interviews revealed three typical characteristics of how hospice volunteers’ describe their own role: (1) performing small acts of kindness, (2) creating a family-like atmosphere, (3) expecting emotional experiences. A common theme across all categories is the emphasis on spontaneous actions and personal experiences. The process of dying becomes an experience interpreted by volunteers as enriching, as a gift, as a “teacher”.ConclusionGranting hospice volunteers freedom to act spontaneously and intuitively benefits hospice and palliative care delivery. Organizations should leave sufficient room for spontaneity in order to involve volunteers effectively. Open and unstandardized roles facilitate dynamic work practices.

‘Are you happy now?’: women gauge readers and postwar Victoria

Victoria’s State Rivers and Water Supply Commission employed more than 150 gauge readers in the postwar period. Theirs was a unique labour: not quite a volunteer role, not quite a career. Gauge readers were often the wives and daughters of farming men, and their remuneration was meagre. This article explores the informal remarks left by the gauge readers on the forms they supplied to the Commission and finds intersections that further add to the dynamic labour histories of postwar Victoria. This article argues that the gauge readers utilised the forms effectively to bargain for improved labour conditions, despite their geographical and hierarchical distance from the Commission’s central office in Melbourne.

Engaging underrepresented groups in community physical activity initiatives: a qualitative study of parkrun in the UK

BackgroundUnderrepresented groups, including racial/ethnic minority groups and individuals with low socioeconomic status face complex barriers to engaging in community-based health initiatives. This research uses parkrun, an outdoor, mass-participation, weekly physical activity and volunteering initiative, to explore the engagement strategies (‘outreach activities’) that have been used to promote the inclusivity and diversity of parkrun events.MethodsTen adult parkrun Ambassadors who fulfilled volunteer roles that involved promoting parkrun to underrepresented groups in the UK were interviewed. Interviews took place via telephone or video call in April-July 2021. Interview transcripts were analysed thematically.ResultsEngagement strategies implemented by Ambassadors varied from opportunistic promotion within communities to strategic negotiations at higher decision-making levels. Approaches were characterised by a community-centred focus that ensured community networks and assets were utilised. Stories were considered valuable indicators of successful outreach. A common challenge to outreach for Ambassadors was limited personal and organisational capacity that impeded the widescale scope, reach and scalability of parkrun’s engagement attempts.ConclusionsParkrun Ambassadors have used a wide range of outreach activities at different levels of influence. A number of challenges to doing sustainable and effective outreach have been highlighted that need to be addressed. Working with and alongside communities where community-based health initiatives events take place to understand how to address inclusivity issues could contribute to greater participation by underrepresented groups.

52 (PB-052) Poster - The role of volunteers in quality palliative care

52 (PB-052) Poster - The role of volunteers in quality palliative care

57 (PB-057) Poster - What is role of community health volunteers in palliative care services at home for patients with palliative care needs?

57 (PB-057) Poster - What is role of community health volunteers in palliative care services at home for patients with palliative care needs?

Examining the Role of Third Sector Organization Volunteers in Facilitating Hospital-to-Home Transitions for Older Adults - a Collective Case Study.

With increasing attention to models of transitional support delivered through multisectoral approaches, third-sector organizations (TSOs) have supported community reintegration and independent living post-hospitalization. This study aimed to identify the core elements of these types of programs, the facilitators, and barriers to service implementation and to understand the perspectives of providers and recipients of their experiences with the programs. A collective case study collected data from two UK-based 'Home from Hospital' programs. An inductive thematic analysis generated rich descriptions of each program, and analytical activities generated insights across the cases. Programs provided a range of personalized support for older adults and addressed many post-discharge needs, including well-being assessments, support for instrumental activities of daily living, psychosocial support, and other individualized services directed by the needs and preferences of the service user. Results suggest that these programs can act as a 'safety net' and promote independent living. Skilled volunteers can positively impact older adults' experience returning home. When the programs under study are considered in tandem with existing evidence, it facilitates a discussion of how TSO services could be made available more widely to support older adults in their transition experiences.

Inovasi Pelayanan Publik Diskominfo Kota Samarinda di Era Disrupsi: Studi Implementasi Layanan Samarinda Siaga 112 dan Panic Button

In the current era of disruption, the implementation of the Samarinda Siaga 112 Service and the panic button developed by the Samarinda City Communication and Information Service are available as a forum for optimizing public services in terms of handling electronic-based emergencies. Through a qualitative descriptive approach, this research examines the implementation of the Samarinda Siaga 112 and panic button services which refer to Samarinda Mayor Regulation Number 52 of 2019 concerning the Implementation of a Single Emergency Call Number 112 and Panic Button, by focusing on aspects of communication, resources, disposition, bureaucratic structure and the obstacles. This research found that the Samarinda Siaga 112 and panic button services have been implemented well even though there was a decrease in the number of complaint channels after Covid-19 ended because the Samarinda Siaga 112 and panic button services were much more needed during the past Covid-19 pandemic. The operational functioning of this service is reduced andi s still hampered by other obstacles related to technical matters and the characterictics of the population of Samarinda City with the finding that 75,54 percent of incoming callas to Emergency Call 112 are fake calls. However, this service can still be implemented effectively by optimizing existing resources, and contuining to be committed to improving information technology-based public services for the communication in handling various emergency incidents. The role of emergency volunteers is also very significant in implementing this service and better empowerment efforts need to be carried out by the Samarinda City Government. More massive educational efforts are also needed for the people of Samarinda City regarding the urgency of caring and being alert to emergency condotions as well as using media in public service communication wisely and beneficially for others.

Reassess Alumni Volunteer Roles

Reassess Alumni Volunteer Roles

Scope and inclination of voluntary service for urban community-living older adults provided by volunteers with nursing background: A qualitative study.

With the growing challenge of an aging population, addressing the needs of elderly individuals who face living difficulties and lack family support becomes increasingly difficult. Volunteer services are crucial in this context, yet their effectiveness is hindered by unclear service scopes and uncertain volunteer inclinations. To explore the role and specific preference of volunteers with nursing backgrounds in support of older adults living in the urban community. DESIGN, SETTINGAND PARTICIPANTS: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted between September and October 2022. Twenty-three participants (hospital nurses [10], community nurses [4], nursing teachers [4]and nursing students [5]) were selected. Data analysis followed conventional content analysis. Nine major themes were identified based on interview data. Four themes described the service scope of nursing volunteers: (1) environment domain, (2) physiological domain, (3) psychosocial domainand (4) health-related behaviours domain. Another five themes highlighted the service inclination of these volunteers: (1) service frequency, (2) service duration per person/time, (3) service coverage, (4) service placeand (5) service object. This study clarifies the service focus and scope of necessary support for volunteers, exploring the potential service capabilities of scarce volunteers to the greatest extent. Meanwhile, the results of this study also provide a foundation for stakeholders to fully exploit the synergy. The important findings of this study will help the government and relevant authorities better understand the service attributes of nursing volunteers, allowing them to develop detailed training plans and provide nursing volunteers with targeted support and assistance to meet the health expectations of urban community-living older adults in need. Developing research questions, participation and conductand provision and interpretation of evidence.

Street-level quasi-bureaucracy and professional discretion: how transformational leadership and public service motivation influence village health volunteers' professional discretion

PurposeVillage health volunteers are community health volunteers in Thailand that have helped the government deliver public health services for many years, particularly during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Though labeled as “volunteers,” the village health volunteers are recruited, trained and supervised in a manner similar to how a government agency recruits, trains and supervises its street-level bureaucrats (SLBs). This study examines the two factors that affect how these street-level quasi-bureaucrats use their professional discretion: transformational leadership and public service motivation (PSM). Transformational leadership means a leadership style that develops, shares and sustains a vision to elevate SLBs to higher levels of performance, while PSM is defined as an SLB’s predisposition to make a difference by working in the public sector with a sense of calling. This study attempts to analyze the mediating role of psychological empowerment in the relationship between transformational leadership, PSM and professional discretion.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses a three-wave survey-based quantitative method to avoid common method biases. This method provides evidence gathered from 105 subdistrict health promotion hospitals and 798 village health volunteers (VHVs) in five provinces in Thailand.FindingsPSM and transformational leadership influence the village health volunteers' use of professional discretion indirectly through the psychological empowerment mechanisms that make them feel positive toward their village health volunteer role and responsibility. The authors' findings suggest that the hospital directors' transformational leadership induces the village health volunteers' use of professional discretion by making them feel competent to do their work and feel fulfilled and valuable about their work. Similarly, the village health volunteers' PSM leads them to use professional discretion by making them feel fulfilled and valuable and by convincing them of the social and community impact of their work.Research limitations/implicationsWhile existing research focuses on VHVs' role in alleviating capacity constraints on the health care system, this study revealed an equally important role played by hospital directors. These directors' transformational leadership was instrumental in enhancing VHVs' psychological empowerment – particularly their perceptions of the meaning of their work and their competence – that ultimately enabled them to use professional discretion in their work. This study also highlighted the importance of VHVs' PSM, which leads to their use of professional discretion via the meaning and impact dimensions of psychological empowerment. Based on this study, PSM should also be incorporated into the community health volunteers' recruitment criteria. Also, public health agencies should consider including transformational leadership in the hospital directors' training programs and their promotion criteria.Practical implicationsAs VHVs' high-PSM level was found to enhance their professional discretion, the process of recruiting ordinary citizens to serve as community health volunteers should incorporate assessment of the candidates' PSM. Also, the Ministry of Public Health should design and assign tasks that citizen volunteers, particularly VHVs, consider meaningful and at which they feel competent.Social implicationsAside from technical training, directors of the subdistrict health promotion hospitals should regularly receive soft skill training (i.e. leadership training) and transformational leadership characteristics should be included in the government criteria for promotion.Originality/valueWhile past research has examined the impact of other leadership styles on psychological empowerment, this study took a further step by examining the mediating effects of psychological empowerment on the relationship between transformational leadership and professional discretion among VHVs. The authors analyzed the mechanism linking PSM to the VHVs' professional discretion. In addition, by examining the relative importance of different dimensions of psychological empowerment, this study offers a nuanced understanding of the psychological processes by which transformational leadership and PSM shape the SLBs' use of professional discretion in their work.

Шляхи формування резилієнтності майбутніх фахівців соціальної сфери в умовах війни

The article summarizes and presents the socio-pedagogical challenges related to forming resilience in future social work specialists in wartime conditions. The concept of personal resilience is disclosed; the main negative factors reducing the stress resistance levels of future social work specialists during their professional training in wartime conditions are analyzed; the directions and ways of activities of higher education institutions aimed at forming resilience in future social work specialists in wartime conditions are identified. The scientific research on the ways of forming resilience in future social work specialists in wartime conditions will help to determine effective strategies and approaches for preparing future social work specialists to work in crisis conditions. This includes the development of their personal qualities, psychological resilience, and professional skills necessary for effectively performing their duties. The work considers a comprehensive approach to developing resilience, which includes specialized training courses, practical trainings, psychological support, personal development, a mentoring system, social activity, as well as a healthy lifestyle. Significant emphasis is placed on the role of volunteering and partnerships with various organizations, which contribute to the practical acquisition of necessary skills and the maintenance of emotional health. The study highlights the importance of information awareness and the use of innovative technologies in preparing future social workers. The article's conclusions are aimed at developing recommendations for educational programs and practical measures that will facilitate the formation of highly qualified and stress-resistant social work specialists capable of effectively working in wartime conditions.

Use of volunteers in early years interventions for parents: A scoping review of roles and the extent of evaluation research in this area.

Early years interventions, particularly those supporting parents in the first 1001 days of their infants life, support healthy development of infants and prevent adverse experiences that can have long term negative impacts. Volunteers are often used to deliver such interventions. This scoping review aimed to explore the roles and characteristics of volunteers across early years interventions and map the evaluation in this field to identify gaps in the literature. A scoping review was conducted according to the Arksey and O'Malley Framework. Academic databases and grey literature sources were searched to identify literature evaluating volunteer-based interventions for parents in the first 1001 days of their infant's life (conception to aged two). Research conducted in the UK or comparable high-income countries since the year 2000 were identified and data relating to the volunteer role, intervention design and evaluation methods were mapped. Sixty-six articles were eligible for inclusion in the review. Volunteers were commonly involved in interventions to provide peer support for a range of parenting related matters, support breastfeeding and the mental and emotional wellbeing of parents. Volunteer roles were categorised based on their background (peers or non-peer volunteers), their responsibilities (provider of peer support, educator or providers of practical support) and the delivery style of their role (in person one to one support, group leader or remote support). Research most often involved exploring the experiences of those involved in receiving or delivering the interventions and measuring outcomes in relation to breastfeeding and parent mental wellbeing. Volunteers play a large role in the provision of early years interventions. Their varied contribution is presented through a typology that will allow comparisons of roles in future research. Further research exploring the impact on the volunteers and the organisation will support decision making around choosing a volunteer led model within early years services.