In the first episode of season one, Rob talks to Martin J Cowling.

Martin has worked in the community sector for over 35 years as a volunteer, hands-on manager, leader, researcher and consultant. He has worked from small grassroots organisations through to being head of Australia's largest not for profit.

He believes that people are the key to an organisation's success and he is passionate about ensuring that staff (both paid and unpaid) have mutually beneficial relationships and contribute to making lasting positive change. 

Today, Martin works with organisations globally to respond to change and prepare for the future. He mentors, coaches and trains their leaders and leadership teams to be as effective as possible in these turbulent times.

In his conversation with Rob, Martin shares his thoughts on what advanced volunteer management really is and what we need to consider when raising our game in working with volunteers.

You can connect with Martin on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinjcowling/

Music by Zen_Man from Pixabay

Season 1 Episode 1 Martin J Cowling

Welcome to the National Association of Long-Term Care Volunteers Podcast, where compassion meets connection. Join your host, Paul Falkowski, on a journey into the heart of a mission that strives to bridge the gap of loneliness in long-term care communities.

In this podcast, we explore the profound impact of loneliness, the transformative power of meaningful connections, and the inspiring stories of volunteers making a difference. Discover the hidden world of care communities, where nearly half of the 1.5 million residents seldom receive a visit, and learn how you can become a beacon of light in their lives.

Each episode delves into the emotional, physical, and societal aspects of loneliness, providing insights into the challenges faced by those living in care communities and the positive effects of companion volunteers. Hear firsthand accounts of the incredible moments that unfold when a volunteer walks through the doors – moments that transcend routine visits and become lifelines of hope.

But it's not just about the impact on residents; it's about the transformative journey of the volunteers themselves. Explore how volunteering can reshape perspectives, enhance family relationships, and inspire a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of humanity.

Whether you're a potential volunteer, a care community professional, or someone passionate about making a difference, this podcast is your gateway to understanding the vital role of companionship in the lives of those often overlooked. Together, we'll uncover the beauty of small acts of kindness and explore the research supporting the efficacy of companion volunteers in mitigating feelings of loneliness.

Join us on this compassionate journey. Visit our website at NALTCV.org for resources, training opportunities, and more information on how you can become a part of this incredible community. Because every connection we create has the power to transform a life.

Tune in, stay connected, and be a part of the National Association of Long-Term Care Volunteers movement.

NALTCV Podcast Launch - November 16, 2023

Ellie is the Activities Lead at Cavendish Park Care Home in Evesham, England, and has been an activity provider for three years. She truly loves what she does, arranging an activities program to support residents' well-being, supporting them to continue to be themselves, and helping to build a community that supports them and gives them a sense of belonging. She is passionate about supporting our older generation to live fulfilling and meaningful lives, encouraging them to make the most out of every day. She is  also a part of the National Activity Providers Association's Activity Provider Advisory Group, where she gets the chance to work with some incredible Activity Providers across the UK to continue to support the residents we care for as best we can and continue to develop and build the community of activity providers in the UK, striving to make the world of activities in social care the best it can be.

Heartbeats of Care: Bridging Lives Through Volunteer Connections

Amy and I will explore how volunteers are crucial not only for the quality of life but also for the quality of care in our communities. We’ll discuss the tangible benefits volunteers bring to the long-term care community. Plus, we’ll touch on how these improvements can positively affect a long-term care community’s census and income. We’ll also address the vital need for leadership support. How do you get your community’s leadership on board to support the person managing volunteers? Whether you’re building on an existing program or starting from scratch, we’ll provide practical tips to help you create a successful and sustainable volunteer program.

Caring Connections: Volunteer Insights for Activities Professionals

Meredith Koob is a Program Specialist for CircleTalk by Telligen, where she presents on, practices, and trains others on structured social engagement programming proven to positively impact social isolation and self-perceptions of well-being. With 25 years of experience in medical home health and healthcare quality improvement and innovation, she has led various high engagement groups such as chronic disease, chronic pain, and diabetes self-management education, community coalitions, and quality improvement projects. She utilizes Leadership and Organizing in Action (LOA) framework to identify gaps in community social, physical, and mental health and collaborates with stakeholders to take intentional, structured, and measurable action aimed at reducing loneliness and social isolation, particularly among older adults, where disconnection is especially harmful.

Breaking Isolation: The Power of CircleTalk in Long-Term Care

Alan Leeds on Questlove Supreme Pt 1

This is the launch of the VolunCheerLeader podcast. Here we will discuss the need for creating "super" volunteers, that is, volunteers that are recruited, screened and trained to provide meaningful and reliable support for professional nursing home care staff. Please subscribe to the podcast to learn about workforce issues in long-term care and how volunteers and robust volunteer programs can play a critical role in supporting staff and creating a conduit to attract new workers. Welcome to VolunCheerLeader!

Launching VolunCheerLeader Podcast 180625

Welcome, Molly Wisniewski to the VolunCheerLeader podcast! Molly is the creator of "The Upside to Aging" blog. In addition, she is an experienced freelance writer with a demonstrated history of working in the public policy industry. Skilled in Nonprofit Organizations, Alzheimer's Care, Aging in Place, Program Evaluation, and Public Speaking. Strong media and communication professional with a Master’s Degree focused in Management of Aging Services from the University of Maryland Baltimore County.

Welcome Molly Wisniewski of The Upside to Aging!

Join me and Joy Rich. Joy became a nursing home volunteer in 2013. Since then she has had a profound impact on the people she visits from week-to-week. Joy was recognized by Points of Light in 2016 for creating “Color It with Joy” 

Link to Points of Light: https://www.pointsoflight.org/awards/spreading-joy-one-color-and-music-note-at-a-time/

Joy Rich Shares Her Experience as a Volunteer

The National Association of Long-Term Care Volunteers (NALTCV) is a not-for-profit organization that provides training for people who volunteer in a long-term care community. In addition, the NALTCV will seek out and promote resources and programs that support the people living in long-term care communities.

Many long-term care communities do not have the staff or resources to train the people that are volunteering in their community. The NALTCV will work to develop and make widely available a training package for people wanting to volunteer using input provided by professionals working in the field of long-term care.

In addition to providing training for volunteers, the NALTCV will develop and make available resources for the people managing volunteers in their communities, including recruiting materials, webinars, and in-person classes.

Breaking Isolation: The Power of CircleTalk in Long-Term Care

National Association of Long-Term Care Volunteers

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