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VOLUNTEER HANDBOOK(01534) 285858admin@jch.jejch.je

2IntroductionDear Volunteer,Thank you for choosing to volunteer at Jersey Cheshire Home, we are very grateful that you have chosen to support our charity.Jersey Cheshire Home stands out as a special and unique local charity, providing crucial support to some of the most vulnerable disabled adults in Jersey. Our foundation is built on a culture of high-quality care, kindness, respect, and love, offering independence and choice to our residents or service users.OUR MISSION is to enhance the lives of islanders with disabilities, and your role as a volunteer is instrumental in helping us full this mission. There are various ways in which you can contribute, whether by working directly with our residents, supporting behind the scenes, or acting as a brand ambassador for our charity.Every minute of your seless dedication is valued, and we sincerely thank you for choosing to give your time to us. We hope that your experience as a volunteer is not only enjoyable but also fullling and satisfying. We see volunteering as a reciprocal relationship between Jersey Cheshire Home and our volunteers, one that is built on mutual trust and respect.Welcome to our team!We are delighted to have you on board.Yours sincerely,Donna Abel Chief Executive OfcerHello and welcome!Volunteer Handbook

Hello and welcome 02What volunteers sayabout us04About us 06Volunteering opportunities 10Our volunteer charter 11Supporting volunteers 13Compliance 14What to do if you haveany concerns19Health and safety 22What volunteers often ask 24Information on the conditions and associated behaviours you may come across while volunteering27Being a volunteerAs a new volunteer you will bring fresh eyes to the work we do. Please do share with us what you think we do well and what we can improve on.3Volunteer HandbookContentsThe purpose of this volunteering handbook is to provide clear guidance and support for individuals offering their time and skills to our charity.This handbook outlines our values, mission, culture and the essential role volunteers play in our community. It sets expectations for conduct, offers comprehensive information about volunteer opportunities, and ensures consistency in training and procedures.Furthermore, this handbook serves as a communication tool, fostering transparency and promoting a sense of unity among our volunteers. By detailing safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and pertinent health and safety information, it also prioritises the well-being of our volunteers.We aim for this handbook to be a valuable resource, enabling volunteers to understand their rights and responsibilities, and to feel supported and informed as they contribute to our cause.

Every Tuesday we have a quiz which provokes lots of discussion and lots of laughs. We also learn a lot! The residents have also had the opportunity to get to know each other a little more.Gardening over the last few months has been great fun. We have been out to buy the plants, made decisions about what to plant and we even involved the grandchildren of one resident to help plant some of them. The residents now have the responsibility to maintain the planters and grow herbs for the kitchen to use.I look forward to every Tuesday and Thursday morning. Julia LI count myself so lucky to have been given the opportunity to volunteer at Cheshire Home, it is such a privilege.When I retired from a very busy job, I spent many months looking for the right volunteering environment. As soon as I walked into the Home, I was greeted by such friendly people at the reception desk. My welcome continued with a walk around and an introduction to the residents and the many amazing staff that worked here. The paperwork was easy to complete. Safeguarding and condentiality were clearly explained. I knew that this was the place I wanted to spend time.Once I started meeting and talking to the residents the process of getting to know them began. What a delight! Everyone is so friendly, and we laugh so much. If I ever go in to do a quiz morning feeling a little tired, I soon forget how I am feeling and enjoy every moment spent with the residents. We chat about all sorts of things and share our lives and family events.We have been painting with a local artist. Helping the residents to take part in this mural of The Rope Walk has been such fun. The concentration and the relaxation it evokes as the residents paint is amazing. We just stop chatting and enjoy the completion of a part of the picture. It is so rewarding to see the residents engaged and proud of what they have achieved.What our volunteers say about their experience with us...Volunteer Handbook‘’4

Every time I walk through the door, I’m greeted with smiles from the residents and staff which makes me feel happy. I enjoy spending time with the various residents, sharing laughs and hearing about their week or their life before they lived at the Home. It’s a very special place.Sue LI have had the pleasure of working as a volunteer for over 5 years and in this time, I have witnessed at rst hand the care, kindness and friendship within the Jersey Cheshire Home. Volunteers can make a real difference to the quality of life of the residents and service users as well as supporting the dedicated staff. I very often feel that I get more than I put in during my time at the Cheshire Home. David CVolunteer Handbook‘’‘’5

Around the clock nursing care!Average resident’s stay! Daily running costs!About us30 ROOMS 24/7 CARE15 YEARS £8,500Jersey Cheshire Home (JCH) is afliated to Leonard Cheshire International which supports many projects running in organisations across 54 countries worldwide.Within the UK, Leonard Cheshire Disability has over 100 care homes, helping thousands of people and their carers access a wide range of services. Leonard Cheshire believes in a fair and inclusive world for everyone, irrespective of their disability.Although afliated to Leonard Cheshire, JCH raises its own funds, meaning that any funds raised for JCH stays on the island of Jersey to support those at JCH.15 of which are en-suite!Volunteer HandbookOur Jersey Cheshire Home (“JCH or The Home”) is a registered local charity (number 002) which has been in existence since 1983 and is the only Nursing Home on the island for physically disabled adults.The residents at JCH have a variety of complex care needs which our skilled and experienced staff support in a warm and inviting homely atmosphere.6

RespiteIn addition to this we also provide respite services for families of individuals who require additional care and provide a space for community groups such as the MS Society and Parkinson’s group.Centre of ExcellenceWe pride ourselves on our reputation, the skills and expertise of our workforce and the strong culture we have created at JCH as we strive to become a Centre of Excellence.What we do...Our FacilityOur facility supports 30 residents who have experienced signicant and life-altering changes to their health meaning they are no longer able to live on their own. For the last 40 years, our teams have cared for individuals who have a variety of complex neurological conditions or degenerative illnesses such as MS, strokes, Parkinson’s, Motor Neurone Disease and brain injuries.RehabilitationWith a focus on rehabilitation and encouraging independence, the services at JCH include high quality care, specialist nursing alongside therapies such as Aqua-Therapy and Physiotherapy. In addition to this, we have a dedicated Activities and Well-being Co-ordinator to encourage our residents to participate in their hobbies, interests, and social activitiesVolunteer Handbook7

Our PurposeProviding a home, specialist care and advocacy for islanders with disabilities.Our VisionJersey Cheshire Home is a Centre of Excellence for caring for the needs of islanders with disabilities.Our MissionTo enhance the lives of islanders with disabilities.Our valuesVolunteer Handbook8

Volunteer HandbookWork collaboratively to deliver high quality, safe and compassionate care.Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion for all.Respect an individual's rights and uphold condentiality.Improve quality through actions and Continuous Professional Development.Our culture is built on kindness, high quality care, treating all care receivers with love and respect.Promote dignity and uphold privacy, rights, health and wellbeing.Accountability for our actions and safeguard those in our care.Communication is clear, open and effective.Our culture9

Volunteering is something you can do all year long! These volunteers share a common passion for making a positive impact and helping others. They dedicate their time, energy, and expertise to various initiatives such as the garden project, driving, playing chess, quizzes, selling rafe tickets and much more.We encourage our volunteers to become actively involved in organising events and coming up with ideas to enhance the wellbeing of our residents.Our volunteers are driven by the desire to contribute to society, make a difference, and create meaningful change. They may choose to volunteer regularly or get involved on a project-by-project basis, depending on their availability and personal interests.We greatly value the dedication and commitment of our volunteers, as they play a vital role in advancing the causes and missions we support. Their selessness and willingness to contribute makes a signicant impact on our charity and individuals in need.Volunteering opportunitiesWho are our volunteers? Our volunteers are individuals who generously give their time and skills to support and contribute to various causes. They come from diverse backgrounds, having different professions, ages, and experiences. Some of them are students, professionals, colleagues’, partners or retired people.Volunteer Handbook10

Our volunteer charterWe see volunteering as a reciprocal relationship between Jersey Cheshire Home and the people who volunteer, one that is built on mutual trust and respect. We believe it is important therefore to set out clearly what we expect from you and what you should expect from us.We require you to...Commit to our charitable objectives and to abide by our vision, mission, and values in all activities.What should you expect from us...• Induction about Jersey Cheshire Home, including its vision, mission and values; and support on your chosen volunteering activity and any other training needs which may be identied in the course of you volunteering.• A delegated volunteer supervisor who will provide regular support and quarterly meetings with our leadership member where your voice will be heard.• Guidance on standards we expect from you, in line with our charity’s policies and procedures.• Fair hearing and resolution of any problems, grievances and difculties and, in the event of an unresolved matter, offer an opportunity to discuss the issues in accordance with our Complaints Policy and Procedure.• The opportunity to give feedback on your volunteering experience.• Regular updates about the charity on our website and electronic bulletin, as well as any changes to volunteering policies or management.Volunteer Handbook• Perform your volunteering role and key responsibilities to the best of your ability.• Keep yourself regularly informed about our policies and procedures.• To act in the best interests of service users supported by us and work in a manner that is empowering and motivating, and which enable service users to achieve their personal outcomes.• Follow service reporting requirements, as set out in your volunteering role, and maintain regular contact with JCH, informing us if your contact details change or if personal circumstances affect your availability to volunteer.• Maintain residents or clients condentiality at all times, as well as all matters relating to the charity.11

Volunteer HandbookWe will also try to ensure that you...• Are able to say no to any requests you may feel uncomfortable with outside the volunteer role.• You are kept informed of changes and developments that may affect you in your volunteering role and of any new volunteering opportunities.• Have the opportunity to be involved in discussion groups and decision making, across all areas of volunteers, but particularly from your area of experience.• Have access to a complaint’s procedure via an independent member of staff.• Feel your contribution is valued by paid staff.• Be invited to training and much more.12

Volunteer HandbookSupporting volunteersCounselling is available through a trainee counsellor who supports JCH, please speak to the HR Ofcer or the Registered Manager should you need support.3CounsellingWe have a range of training opportunities available at JCH! We will let all volunteers know via email when courses or awareness sessions are available.We also have a manual handling training and safe use of wheelchairs available in the Home. This also includes driving and securing wheelchairs in buses and use of hydraulic lifts.2Training OpportunityAll volunteers must attend an induction as this is part of the recruitment. This normally consists of one hour session that will be held at Jersey Cheshire Home.Once completed and relevant paperwork, references as well as clear DBS check is received, you will ofcially become OUR volunteer.1Induction13

Volunteer HandbookCompliance1Volunteering PolicyIntroductionJersey Cheshire Home recognises and values the signicant contribution of volunteers to the work of our organisation. This contribution includes enhancing the lives of the people we work with by providing added value to the services and programmes we deliver and promoting our objectives.Policy StatementJersey Cheshire Home is committed to involving volunteers in enhancing the support and services offered to residents and to support the organisation to achieve its aims. Jersey Cheshire Home will endeavour to match volunteers to tasks that reect their skills, interests and experience, and seek to ensure volunteers have a rewarding experience. Volunteers should enhance the work of Jersey Cheshire Home and must not carry out duties of paid staff or replace paid roles.Policy AimThe aim of this policy is to ensure that a clear framework exists for volunteers at JCH to:• Acknowledge and support the role of volunteers at JCH.• Set out the principles governing the involvement of volunteers and provide a set of guidelines to ensure good practice in working with volunteers.• Encourage and enable, rather than restrict, the involvement of volunteers.DenitionsVolunteer: a volunteer is dened as:• Someone who has completed any required Jersey Cheshire Home volunteer recruitment process and who performs a task or completes an action at the request of, or on behalf of, Jersey Cheshire Home. • Someone who does not receive nancial compensation beyond the reimbursement of expenses. 14

Volunteer HandbookThis denition includes trustees, work placement, unpaid interns, programme volunteers, fundraising volunteers, and people who are given time off by their company or organisation to volunteer. It also includes Jersey Cheshire Home customers who volunteer, and employees who volunteer outside of their employed role and paid working hours.This denition does not include friends or family of Jersey Cheshire Home residents who do not wish to become volunteers. Jersey Cheshire Home does not take organisational responsibility for friends or family members who assist residents.Customer: for the purposes of this document, the term customer means all individuals who use any of our services, including customers using our programmes.Policy PrinciplesRecruitmentRecruitment of volunteers from all sections of the community will be actively encouraged and promoted. In line with the organisation’s recruitment and induction procedures for all its workers, volunteers are thoroughly screened prior to beginning their voluntary work and given adequate health and safety guidance and training appropriate to the tasks that they full.Equal Opportunities & DiversityJCH has an Equal Opportunities Policy and will prevent discrimination particularly on the grounds of gender, marital status, disability, race, colour, religious belief, political belief, sexuality, nationality, ethnic origin, age, trade union activity, responsibility for dependents or employment status.Induction & TrainingRegular support/supervision should be available to each volunteer. The type and level of support will depend on the needs of the volunteer and the nature of their role. Full information on this will be provided during induction.Manager/supervisor of services and programmes are responsible for the conduct and safety of volunteers, and for ensuring adherence to this policy. Volunteers must comply with relevant organisation policies and abide by the instructions of the manager/supervisor of their service or programme. Volunteers will be provided with appropriate training, to enable them to carry out their tasks safely and effectively.ExpensesJCH provides a clear and accessible system to enable volunteers to claim out of pocket expenses.All agreed out of pocket expenses can be reimbursed on production of proof of purchase. Please discuss with your supervisor or Admin staff on how to make expenses claim.15

Volunteer HandbookFurther GuidanceThis policy operates in conjunction with codes of conduct, operating procedures specic to each service or programme and the following:• Accepting Gifts Policy.• Behaviour and Conduct Policy.• Condentiality Policy.• Fire Safety Policy.• Health and Safety Policy.• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).• Safeguarding Adults Policy.• Whistleblowing Policy.• Reporting Policy to Care Commission.All policy documents can be found on the JCH webpage (Password JCH2022); hard copies are accessible upon access.Policy ReviewThis policy was reviewed in February 2024 and thereafter on a two-yearly cycle in February 2026.InsuranceVolunteers will be adequately covered by employer and public liability insurance while carrying out agreed duties.2CondentialityIn any job role colleagues and volunteers have a responsibility to ensure they are following guidance on condentiality – this is particularly important at JCH as we are dealing with sensitive personal and medical information about residents meaning all personal data has to be dealt with sensitively and in the strictest condence internally and externally.16

Volunteer Handbook• Any data or information about colleagues, residents or the organisation should not be discussed outside the Home.• Paper documents containing personal information about individuals should be stored and locked away securely and electronic data should be stored in line with DPA guidelines. • Information should not be used for personal prot or benet.• Restrictions apply even after an individual is no longer working for JCH.As an organisation JCH will require colleagues and residents to submit data for a variety of reasons however there are strict rules around the type of data being requested an how this is protected.The law around GDPR means that data should only be collected for a particular purpose and requests should limited to what is necessary.Data should be accurate and up to date with measures in place to remove or archive dated information which is no longer required.Information held at JCH (this would be both colleague and resident data) should be protected from accidental loss, damage and exposure. If held electronically permission should only be granted where necessary and paper documents should be stored in a locked, secure area with limited individuals allowed access to these – particularly any data which can make a colleague or resident identiable.Any breaches of information should be reported immediately to the Data Controller (CEO Donna Abel) who will advise of next steps to comply with the law.Due to the legal nature of GDPR it is covered as part of mandatory e-learning training and further support and guidance can be found in the Colleague Handbook on the JCH Colleague webpage.3General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)17

5Eye ChecksVolunteers who assist us with driving will be required to have their eye checks, JCH will make a contribution towards the cost of an eye test, up to a maximum of £50 (every two years) on production of an invoice stating that the purpose of the test was to check eyesight for driving.4DBS CheckAll employees and volunteers are required to undergo a DBS record check. These checks are normally conducted prior to employment or volunteering; however, JCH, (as part of its specic requirement of insurance terms and conditions under the Regulation of Care (Standards and Requirements) (Jersey) Regulations 2018, relating to the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults), reserves the right to require all to undertake further DBS checks as and when required.These checks are undertaken at least every three years; this, however, may be subject to change at the request of the insurers or regulatory requirements. Failure of an employee or a volunteer to comply with the ongoing requirement for DBS checks will be deemed as gross misconduct and give grounds for summary dismissal.JCH utilises the services of various appropriate and qualied vetting agencies to assist with the required disclosures determined by the role. JCH can apply for any one of the three types of checks for successful job applicants, volunteers, and existing employees. However, JCH will only need to apply for the disclosure checks specically relevant to the job role. Employees and volunteers should feel free to discuss their DBS with HR further if required. Any discussions will be kept in the strictest condence.Volunteer Handbook18

What to do if you have any concerns Volunteer HandbookJCH is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of adults, recognising it has a responsibility to take all reasonable steps to promote safe practice and to protect adults at risk from harm, abuse and exploitation.An adult at risk is a person aged 18 or over who is, or maybe unable to take care of themselves or protect themselves from harm or being exploited. Abuse is dened as mistreatment which violates a person’s vital human and civil rights. This can take place anywhere – own home, hospital, residential home, workplace or in the community.Abuse can take many forms - Physical / Sexual / Emotional / Financial / Neglect/ Discriminatory / Institutional.It is vital that all colleagues know what to do if they are concerned about a person at risk. If you believe someone is being treated poorly then you have a responsibility to make sure they are safe, ask them questions to gain the facts and inform them that this cannot be kept condential and must be passed onto a manager or nurse.The Registered Manager should be notied – in their absence this should be escalated to CEO – who will determine if a referral to external third party services is required for further investigation.1SafeguardingWhistleblowing is the practice of colleagues or volunteers raising concerns about other staff members.2Whistleblowing19

This may be in relation to malpractice, suspected crime, danger to health and safety, fraud, breach of Home policies and procedures, clinical incompetence – whether aimed towards the Home, its residents or other colleagues.Colleagues and volunteers should not fear any repercussions for alerting malpractice to managers. As long as this is done in good faith and they have reason to be suspicious.Any concerns should be agged to the nurse on duty or if a volunteer feels they cannot do this then can be raised to another line manager or HR.Further guidelines on Whistleblowing can be found along with all other care policies.3If you need to make a complaintAlthough dealing with complaints can be difcult, it can give us a positive opportunity to improve and provide a better service.We have a complaints policy and procedure to ensure that we respond to all complaints, whether informal or formal, and that the complainant sees that we will respond quickly to any complaint. If you wish to make a complaint or you receive a complaint from someone about your service or anything to do with the work of Jersey Cheshire Home, please pass this onto our HR.If unavailable this should be forwarded to the CEO as soon as possible.Volunteer Handbook20

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Health and SafetyAccident ReportingAll accidents should be reported on the Accident and Incident forms that can be found at the reception, nurse’s ofce, kitchen department and the JCH Centre. These are reported to the Foundation Committee and act as a tool for lessons learned for improvement. This will be escalated to CEO and external third parties for advice and guidance.Details should include – date, time and location of incident, nature and severity of injury, any eyewitnesses (reports will be captured), helpful diagrams or photos of incident.‘Near misses’ should be reported to line managers to put in place prevention measures before any accidents take place.Volunteer Handbook22

Volunteer HandbookPPEAny colleagues who may be exposed to a risk of their Health and Safety will be provided with suitable and effective Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Where necessary PPE should remain in good order and disposable PPE changed in between residents to reduce risk of cross-contamination throughout the Home. First AidEquipment and facilities for carrying out rst aid should be adequate and appropriate in the event of injury or illness at work. Volunteers are not permitted to administer rst aid treatment or provide medical assistance without proper training or certication.There are designated rst aiders always working. Fully stocked rst aid kits are available throughout the Home as well as in company vehicles.Fire SafetyIn the event of a re you should prepare to leave the building through the nearest re escape and head to the re assembly point – green sign on the main road across from the car park.If you see a re, then call 999 for the Fire Brigade. To prevent res, consider housekeeping and safe disposal of combustible materials, close re doors, do not prop these open with a doorstop.23

Volunteer HandbookWhat volunteers often ask ?Can I give a resident a drink or feed them?If a resident is able to drink from a cup or glass, feel free to offer them a drink; however, it's crucial to check with the staff about their permitted beverages. A resident may have diabetes or a condition that restricts them to certain drinks, or it may require dilution. Always check rst.If a resident is unable to self-administer a drink or feed themselves, the answer to this question is NO. Please inform a caregiver, as volunteers are not trained for this level of care.?Will I have a badge to say I am a volunteer?Yes, you will, and it will say your name so that the residents can quickly identify you. It is always good to say hello and say your name just to remind them as they get to know you.?Can I push a wheelchair?Once you have had manual handling training organised by us then yes you will be able to push a wheelchair. Please wait until you have completed this training and been supervised.?What if I volunteer as a driver?If you requested to volunteer as a driver it is imperative that you know how to ensure residents safety in a vehicle. Drivers must know how to operate the hydraulic lifts and how to clamp and secure wheelchairs. It is the drivers responsibility to ensure his/her passengers are safe.No driver should drive unless they have been trained in this. It is of upmost importance not to rely on your passengers relaying that they are secure.24

?What do the different uniforms mean?Red tunics and tops – Health Care Assistant (carer)Blue tops – Domestic colleagues, driversBlue tunics - NursesWine uniform – Therapy teamAdmin colleagues – Casual smart clothing?Will I be informed if there is an issue in the Home which will affect my visit? (e.g. loss of a resident)Yes, every effort will be made to ensure that you know if there are any issues that may affect your activity or a resident that you may be working with.?Will I be kept informed?A volunteers meeting will be held at least every two months where information will be shared, and email sent if required. Events and activities will be advertised on our website www.jch.je/events/ Facebook and Instagram. Volunteers are always needed to support events all the year round.?Should I come in if I am ill?If you are unwell, there are healthcare protocols that you will need to follow. One of them is to call and inform us that you are not feeling well. If you have experienced sickness or diarrhoea, you will need to stay off for 48 hours after your last episode.?Who do I notify if I am not able to come in?Please notify the Registered Manager, Sarah Jemson if you are unable to come in, you can do this by calling the nurse’s station.Volunteer Handbook25

Volunteer Handbook?Who is my contact/go to person?Your go to person is the Registered Manager, Sarah Jemson.?Will I be informed if the Home is closed for external visitors?Yes, we will send an email to everyone including our volunteers.?Can I enter a resident’s room?Yes, you may enter a resident's room by knocking on the door or if you have obtained their permission, and they agree to it. Please avoid sitting on their bed or chairs; instead, use a visitor chair or bring one into the room. In case a resident is unwell, kindly seek permission from the nurses before entering the room. If a room is restricted due to a virus or sickness bug, it will be clearly marked as such, and no visitors will be allowed.?Should I leave the door open if alone with a resident?It would be best to leave the door open if you are alone in a resident’s room. Do not put yourself in a vulnerable position.?Boundaries (e.g. giving personal contact details to residents, gifts from residents etc.)It is essential to maintain clear boundaries when interacting with residents. Please refrain from sharing personal contact details with them. We discourage the acceptance of gifts from residents. This helps ensure a professional and respectful environment for both volunteers and residents. If you have any questions or concerns regarding boundaries, feel free to ask.26

?Do I need to check in/check out on entering/exiting the Home Yes, you are require to sign in at the reception when you entering and exiting the Home.Volunteer HandbookInformation on the conditions and associated behaviours you may come across while volunteering?What is a disability?Disabilities are challenges that affect how someone can move, think, or sense things, making daily activities more difcult. Incurable diseases are illnesses that currently don't have a known cure, so people with these conditions need ongoing care to manage their symptoms. Both disabilities and incurable diseases can have a big impact on a person's life, and they often require different kinds of support and care for better overall health.StrokeA stroke occurs when something interrupts the blood ow to the brain, leading to damage in that area. The interruption can happen either because of a blockage, called an ischemic stroke, or due to bleeding, known as a hemorrhagic stroke.27

Volunteer HandbookHow does a stroke affect behaviour?1. Face: One side of the face may droop, making it difcult for the person to smile. The mouth or eye on one side may also droop.2. Arms: The person might struggle to lift both arms and keep them up due to weakness or numbness in one arm.3. Pain: Residents may become irritable, possibly due to frustration at not being able to do things for themselves, leading to anger or aggression.4. Fatigue: Tiredness that doesn't get better with rest is common after a stroke.Personality Changes After Stroke:Another change is impulsiveness, where individuals may nd it hard to think ahead or understand consequences. This is more likely in people with a right-side or frontal lobe stroke.Motor Neurone DiseaseMotor neurone disease (MND) is an uncommon condition that affects the brain and nerves. It causes weakness that gets worse over time.How does a MND affect behaviour?Behavioural impairment is a recognised feature of MND and problems may include socially inappropriate behaviour, disinhibited comments, impulsivity, apathy and inertia, loss of sympathy and empathy for others, and perseverative, rigid, stereotyped or compulsive behaviour.DiabetesDiabetes is a chronic health condition that occurs when the body has difculty regulating blood sugar (glucose). This happens either because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or because the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone that helps glucose enter cells to be used for energy. In people with diabetes, elevated blood sugar levels can lead to various complications over time, affecting organs and systems.28

Multiple SclerosisMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition that can affect the brain and spinal cord, causing a wide range of potential symptoms, including problems with vision, arm or leg movement, sensation or balance. It's a lifelong condition that can sometimes cause serious disability, although it can occasionally be mild.Volunteer HandbookHow does multiple sclerosis affect behaviour?It is linked to MS-related damage in the brain. People experiencing disinhibition lose control over their impulses, leading to inappropriate behaviour and a loss of their sense of social rules. They may have little or no awareness of others' feelings regarding their actions.Brain/Head InjuryA head injury that leads to brain damage occurs when there is a signicant impact or trauma to the head. This impact can cause harm to the delicate tissues of the brain, affecting its normal function. The brain is responsible for controlling various aspects of our body, thinking, and emotions. When it gets damaged, it can result in changes to a person's abilities, behaviour, or personality.Imagine the brain as the control centre of a computer. If the computer gets damaged, some functions may not work correctly or might not work at all. Similarly, with a head injury causing brain damage, certain functions of the body or mind may be affected. The extent of these effects depends on the severity and location of the damage.It's important to understand that recovery from a head injury and brain damage can vary from person to person.Some may recover fully, while others may experience long-term effects. Rehabilitation and support are crucial in helping individuals regain lost abilities and adapt to any lasting changes.29

Volunteer HandbookSpinal InjuryA spinal injury occurs when there is damage to the spinal cord, which is a crucial bundle of nerves that runs down the spine and carries messages between the brain and the rest of the body. These injuries can happen due to accidents, falls, or other traumatic events. The severity of a spinal injury can vary, and it often determines the extent of the impact on a person's abilities.In some cases, a spinal injury can result in paralysis, affecting movement and sensation below the injured area. This means that some individuals may lose the ability to move their legs or may experience reduced sensation in different parts of their body.Rehabilitation and support play a crucial role in helping individuals with spinal injuries adapt to their new circumstances. It's important to understand that each spinal injury is unique, and recovery outcomes can vary. Ongoing medical care, therapy, and assistive technologies may contribute to improving the quality of life for those affected by spinal injuries.EpilepsyEpilepsy is a condition where a person has a tendency to have recurrent seizures. Seizures happen when there is a sudden burst of electrical activity in the brain, which can cause various symptoms such as convulsions, staring spells, or unusual sensations. While epilepsy can't always be cured, it is often manageable with medications and other treatments.Peg FeedingPeg feeding, or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, is a medical procedure where a feeding tube is inserted directly into the stomach through the abdominal wall. The tube itself is called a PEG tube. It is an important intervention to maintain adequate nutrition and hydration for those who face challenges with oral intake.Peg feeding is often recommended for individuals who have difculty swallowing, are unable to eat or drink adequately, or have certain medical conditions that affect their ability to consume food orally. This can include people with neurological disorders, head and neck cancer, or other conditions that compromise their ability to take in sufcient nutrition through normal eating.30

Volunteer HandbookOur gratitude goes out to all our dedicated volunteers.Your generosity and commitment is truly appreciated, and your impact in our communities is immeasurable.THANKYOU!31

Contact UsPhone: (01534) 285858Email: admin@jch.jeWebsite: jch.jeAddressEric Young HouseRope Walk, St HelierJersey, JE2 4UUSocial MediaFacebookInstagramXPlease contact us if you have any questions