Volunteer

Gardening
Dig into a fulfilling experience and sow the seeds of positive change. Join in the fun and get your hands dirty, cultivate connections with our residents and embrace the joy of gardening while both nurturing the land and community spirit. Cheshire Home is located on a small piece of property in Florham Park with lush grounds and ample gardens, including resident garden. Volunteer gardeners would help maintain and beautify our many gardens with seasonal planting, weeding, watering, and general upkeep. This role is perfect for someone with a passion for gardening and the willingness to contribute time and effort. Plants and other necessities would be provided, as well as some gardening tools. Volunteer and watch your efforts bloom into a greener, more vibrant environment.

Tickets!  Get Your Tickets Here!
Embark on an adventure with us as an event explorer. Cheshire Home residents lead active lives and love to attend a variety of events. Dive into the world of entertainment uncovering exclusive discounts for concerts and sporting events where every ticket you snag is a passport to joy for our residents. Discount tickets need to fit within our residents’ limited budgets, enhancing accessibility for all. Cheshire Home will provide guidance regarding how many tickets are needed, what venues work best, and what activities are of most interest. Let’s make memories together – your presence is the golden ticket!

Political Liaison
Become a political prowess when you join our dynamic team where you will be the magical bridge to connecting us with political stakeholders. Your charisma will be the secret spell to maintain and secure relationships. Dive into the political realm with us turning handshakes into high-fives. The responsibilities of a political liaison include building and maintaining relationships between Cheshire Home and political stakeholders who will advocate for Cheshire Home. You will need to stay informed about relevant policies, attend meetings with government officials, and facilitate communication between Cheshire Home and political representatives. Strong communication, networking skills, and a deep understanding of political processes are necessary for this role. Unleash your passion for positive change – be a political liaison and make advocacy an adventure.

Companion – Going Out
Embark on meaningful journeys as a companion crusader where you will create unforgettable experiences for our residents. Join our fellowship of fun-seekers where every trip is an adventure, and every connection is a treasure. For example, volunteers will be paired with a resident(s) to join them during a shopping trip, going to the movies, and dining out. Responsibilities would include engaging in conversation, participating in recreation activities, assisting with meals, pushing a wheelchair, acting as an extra set of hands, and fostering a supportive environment.  Cheshire Home will provide and/or make all arrangements for transportation. These opportunities are on an as needed basis and can last from an hour to the entire day.  Before the first outing, we invite you to visit, meet our resident, and speak to a staff member about any questions you may have. You will not be responsible for any type of medical treatment. Be a beacon of joy – become a companion and make every outing a chapter in the book of shared happiness.

Companion – Staying In!
Join our friendship fiesta! We are seeking companions to bring the sparkle of joy, emotional support, and memorable moments for our residents. Be a beacon of fun and a pillar of friendship to a resident who would greatly appreciate your attention. Play board or card games, do crossword or jigsaw puzzles, or simply engage in conversation.  You may be asked to provide an extra set of hands, be a good conversationalist, or a good listener. Companion opportunities can be one-on-one or in a group and range from 1 – 2 hours depending on your schedule. Days and times are flexible. All you need is a positive attitude, the ability to create an inclusive environment and the willingness to foster a meaningful connection. Together, let’s create experiences that linger in the heart – become a companion and make every day a celebration of connection and joy.

Getting Organized
Step into an organizing oasis as we are on a mission to turn decluttering into a delightful adventure. When you join our team of clutter busters, you will do a victory dance when every item is sorted and put in its place. Decluttering, organizing, and transforming resident’s living spaces is on the agenda. Your organizational expertise will be utilized as you sort and arrange belongings, straighten drawers, change winter clothes to summer clothes and vice versa, optimize their space for accessibility, and create a more functional and comfortable environment. Depending on your schedule, each visit would last between 1-1.5 hours. Days and hours are flexible, depending on the residents’ individual schedules.  No heavy lifting or moving is required. Together, let’s make tidying up an uplifting experience for all! 

Resident Sous Chef
Spice up your culinary journey with us! We are on the lookout for a sous chef to help turn our resident kitchen into a vibrant classroom. If you have a passion for cooking and a sprinkle of patience, we want you to join our team as a culinary mentor. Work alongside Cheshire Home’s Vocational and Dietary Department and unleash your culinary magic. Residents like to make their own meals, prepare a holiday dish, or bake tasty treats as they use skills learned in occupational therapy in the kitchen. Cheshire Home’s resident kitchen is specifically designed for our residents, and volunteers would provide an extra set of hands to help with meal planning, food preparation, and maintaining a clean and organized kitchen.  Residents often know what they want to make but always enjoy learning a new recipe or technique. Days and times are flexible. Ingredients are provided or paid for by the resident but may need to be picked up at the supermarket by the volunteer. Basic culinary skills, teamwork, and a commitment to promoting good nutrition and well-being are an asset for this role. Together, let’s whip up delicious experiences and make our kitchen a place of joy and learning.

Manicurist
Nail the fun factor! Join our glam squad and add a touch of sparkle to our residents’ lives. Bring your passion for pampering and become a nail ninja as you transform ordinary moments into extraordinary ones. Volunteers would meet with residents’ one-on-one providing manicures to prepare a resident for a special event or just to make them feel pretty!  Once the initial meeting is set up, you and the resident will set your own schedule.  Manicures will be given at Cheshire Home in a designated area.  No need to be an expert manicurist!  Gentle nail grooming, polishing, and fostering a relaxing and enjoyable experience one manicure at a time. Residents will provide the polish and supplies. Your time, their smiles – let the beauty unfold! 

Calling All Artists
Calling all artists! Join us in unleashing the vibrant spirit of creativity within Cheshire Home by volunteering your creative talents to help residents express their inner joy and creativity. Volunteer artists would support and guide Cheshire Home residents in creating art of their choosing or suggested by the volunteer. Responsibilities include offering creative assistance to help residents express themselves through various mediums, adapting techniques to different abilities and creating an inclusive and enjoyable artistic experience. This role aims to enhance artistic abilities and promote confidence in Cheshire Home residents while promoting a fun, supportive and inclusive atmosphere. After the initial meeting, the days and times would be set between the artist and volunteer. Single activity or ongoing series welcome! Let’s paint a canvas of inspiration together.

Decorate Bulletin Boards
Calling all crafty visionaries! Elevate our hallways when you bring our bulletin boards to life. Our bulletin boards play a key role in enhancing the visual appeal in common spaces. Let’s turn these boards into a visual celebration of the incredible activities our residents engage in – past, present, and future. Bulletin boards are decorated and updated with seasonal changes, special days, holidays, and other occasions. In this role, you would be creating visually appealing displays and incorporating relevant themes and/or important information. Volunteers will collaborate with staff to align their designs with Cheshire Home’s mission. This role requires creativity, and the ability to effectively communicate information through visual elements. We encourage volunteers to be creative, as residents and staff love to see their pictures on display! Work as a team or individually around your schedule. Cheshire Home will provide materials and can assist you if you need something special to execute a great idea. Your creativity can be the brush that paints the story of our vibrant community.