Community Caregivers of Greater Derry
Covers: Southern NH - 7 towns (Derry, Londonderry, Windham, Danville, Chester, Hampstead, and Sandown)
Start Date: October 1988
Mission, Vision & GoalsCommunity Response During Covid-19: Community Caregivers of Greater Derry
Since the start of the public health emergency, Community Caregivers of Greater Derry has continued to carry out their mission to enrich lives and support individuals to remain independent through a compassionate volunteer community in spite of the challenges we face during the COVID-19 Emergency. They quickly adapted many of their services to ensure the safety of the entire community. Months later, this active initiative continues to support their neighbors in the Chester, Danville, Derry, Hampstead, Londonderry, Sandown and Windham areas of New Hampshire.
Our mission is enriching lives and supporting individuals to remain independent through a compassionate volunteer community.
Our vision is improving the quality of life for everyone we serve. Community Caregivers is committed to the following values: COMPASSION, RESPECT, DEDICATION, EXCELLENCE, RELIABILITY.
Our goals are to help the elderly, disabled, chronically and temporarily ill remain safe & independent in their own homes in their community regardless of financial economic status.
Broad Overview
Caregivers volunteer's provide medical/dental transportation, friendly visits, respite, light chores, and grocery shopping. We have a grant funded program called Project Upkeep which provides seasonal and one-time yard projects, home repairs, and maintenance. We also run a Loaner's Closet of used medical equipment including wheelchairs, walkers, canes, shower chairs, etc. which is open to any and all NH residents FREE of charge!
How is your age-friendly initiative structured?
A transportation coordinator arranges drives with volunteer drivers on a weekly basis with appointments that have been called in by clients at least a week in advance. Other one on one client-volunteer matches are arranged by mutual interests and may take place on a weekly, biweekly or monthly basis (ie; laundry, light chores, grocery shopping). These matches provide companionship and enhance the lives of elderly/disabled folks who may not be able to achieve these goals .
Describe any partnerships you have developed?
Community Caregivers works hand in hand with ServiceLink, 211, local food pantries, soup kitchens, senior centers, and many health professionals in the industry of senior health care.
What is the role of volunteers?
Volunteers may provide transporation to medical appointments, weekly pain management or mental health centers. They may also provide grocery shopping with or for a client, light chores, respite for a caregiver, or friendly visits.
Strategies that have contributed to your success? Barriers you have encountered?
Caregivers is able to match clients with volunteers who have the same likes/dislikes, hobbies, and interests. The clients have an extensive intake to make sure that they are a good fit for Caregivers (ie; safe environment, cognitive, and non-combative). The potential volunteers have to complete an hour orientation and background check.
Because we are a volunteer-based organization, Caregivers has a few rules that the clients AND volunteers need to abide by. Safety, whether physically or mentally are the main issues, followed by profanity, bigotry, stealing, or cleanliness.
Types of funding that your initiative has received
We receive funds from the 7 towns we serve, foundation grants and private donations. We also have several fundraisers per year as well as our Annual Appeal.
Community Initiatives
Transportation
Volunteers drive to medical, dental, pain management, and mental health appointments as well as grocery shopping with or for a client.
Chores, Handyman & Upkeep
Light chores weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly visits including trash removal, vacuuming, dusting, or laundry. Seasonal projects such as snow removal or spring/fall clean ups.
Home Repair & Modification
Project Upkeep, a grant funded program provides tradesman referrals, home repairs, and general maintenance by teams and individuals.
Food, Gardening & Cooking
Volunteers may provide meals, help with preparing food, and small garden projects.
Community Response During Covid-19: Community Caregivers of Greater Derry
Since the start of the public health emergency, Community Caregivers of Greater Derry has continued to carry out their mission to enrich lives and support individuals to remain independent through a compassionate volunteer community in spite of the challenges we face during the COVID-19 Emergency. They quickly adapted many of their services to ensure the safety of the entire community. Months later, this active initiative continues to support their neighbors in the Chester, Danville, Derry, Hampstead, Londonderry, Sandown and Windham areas of New Hampshire.
Our mission is enriching lives and supporting individuals to remain independent through a compassionate volunteer community.
Our vision is improving the quality of life for everyone we serve. Community Caregivers is committed to the following values: COMPASSION, RESPECT, DEDICATION, EXCELLENCE, RELIABILITY.
Our goals are to help the elderly, disabled, chronically and temporarily ill remain safe & independent in their own homes in their community regardless of financial economic status.
Broad Overview
Caregivers volunteer's provide medical/dental transportation, friendly visits, respite, light chores, and grocery shopping. We have a grant funded program called Project Upkeep which provides seasonal and one-time yard projects, home repairs, and maintenance. We also run a Loaner's Closet of used medical equipment including wheelchairs, walkers, canes, shower chairs, etc. which is open to any and all NH residents FREE of charge!
How is your age-friendly initiative structured?
A transportation coordinator arranges drives with volunteer drivers on a weekly basis with appointments that have been called in by clients at least a week in advance. Other one on one client-volunteer matches are arranged by mutual interests and may take place on a weekly, biweekly or monthly basis (ie; laundry, light chores, grocery shopping). These matches provide companionship and enhance the lives of elderly/disabled folks who may not be able to achieve these goals .
Describe any partnerships you have developed?
Community Caregivers works hand in hand with ServiceLink, 211, local food pantries, soup kitchens, senior centers, and many health professionals in the industry of senior health care.
What is the role of volunteers?
Volunteers may provide transporation to medical appointments, weekly pain management or mental health centers. They may also provide grocery shopping with or for a client, light chores, respite for a caregiver, or friendly visits.
Strategies that have contributed to your success? Barriers you have encountered?
Caregivers is able to match clients with volunteers who have the same likes/dislikes, hobbies, and interests. The clients have an extensive intake to make sure that they are a good fit for Caregivers (ie; safe environment, cognitive, and non-combative). The potential volunteers have to complete an hour orientation and background check.
Because we are a volunteer-based organization, Caregivers has a few rules that the clients AND volunteers need to abide by. Safety, whether physically or mentally are the main issues, followed by profanity, bigotry, stealing, or cleanliness.
Types of funding that your initiative has received
We receive funds from the 7 towns we serve, foundation grants and private donations. We also have several fundraisers per year as well as our Annual Appeal.
Transportation
Volunteers drive to medical, dental, pain management, and mental health appointments as well as grocery shopping with or for a client.
Chores, Handyman & Upkeep
Light chores weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly visits including trash removal, vacuuming, dusting, or laundry. Seasonal projects such as snow removal or spring/fall clean ups.
Home Repair & Modification
Project Upkeep, a grant funded program provides tradesman referrals, home repairs, and general maintenance by teams and individuals.
Food, Gardening & Cooking
Volunteers may provide meals, help with preparing food, and small garden projects.