Position: Community Response Coordinator
Name: Elizabeth Lunn
Joined Hourglass: April 2021
What does your role involve?
I am excited to be growing our local team of volunteers supporting our work across the country to allow Hourglass Northern Ireland to reach more older people.
I coordinate the services provided through the Hourglass Northern Ireland Hub offering support in a range of areas, from prevention and early intervention, right through to support and recovery from abuse
Alongside our specially trained volunteers, I provide direct support to older people who have experienced or are at risk of harm, abuse and exploitation, as well as those concerned about an older person through:
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Casework: to assist people in making informed choices, access support from other organisations or challenge a decision
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Advocating on behalf of those we support
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Follow-up calls to provide ongoing contact and check-ins
What is do you like most about your role?
The chance to support someone in their time of need; whether that is to offer information, understanding of the options available or sometimes, just being there to listen.
I also love working alongside volunteers, coming from different perspectives they always bring something new to the team.
What did you do before joining Hourglass?
Before I joined the Hourglass team, I was the Volunteer Programme Manager with Oxfam Ireland.
Tell us something about yourself?
I love to exercise and train, whether it is in a gym or playing sports, I really enjoy being part of a team, which is why I think I am drawn to working with volunteers; as with sport, you get the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life that you might not otherwise have the opportunity to cross paths with and learn from.