Volunteers report all kinds of benefits including greater self-confidence, time management, communication, improved teamworking- all the things employers are looking for. But let’s not forget the obvious: you get to make a positive difference, meet new people and have fun. So put a spring in your step as the evenings get longer and get volunteering!
1. Dean of Students’ Roll of Honour: Deadline March 11th
2. Join Trinity Outreach Team for Homeless Service Spring Clean on Feb 14th
3. Child Protection Awareness Training
4. Help shape College’s International Volunteering Policy on March 1st
5. Support Early school leavers gain FETAC qualifications in Ballyfermot
6. Help run Exchange Dublin in Temple Bar
7. “Be the Change” this summer in Kolkata with the Hope Foundation
8. Grand Canal Litter Pick and Coffee March 2nd
9. Musicians needed for inclusive community music initiative
10. Volunteer with Liberties Community Training Agency
11. Be a Foodbank Helper of Refugee Service Hospitality Volunteer
12. Youth Group Volunteers needed in North dublin, Tallaght and Blakestown
13. Tree Planting on Saturdays
14. Be Body Positive Schools Programme
15. Become a peer mentor with Student2Student
16. Speak Chinese? You’re needed on Feb 28th!
17. Outreach Moldova this Summer
18. Got 2 hours a week for Depaul Ireland Homelessness Services?
The Dean of Students' Roll of Honour serves to celebrate and recognise student volunteering in clubs, societies, publications and the wider community. Students who are registered at the time of the application deadline (March 11th 2013) are eligible to apply.
The criteria for inclusion on the Dean of Students' Roll of Honour are as follows:
- Dedication of a minimum of 20 hours to any one form of extra-curricular voluntary activity since April 1st 2012 and while a registered student.
- Only participation in activities that entails some element of organisation and/or delivery of the activity in question will be taken into account (e.g. volunteering as a scout leader, student journalist or (sub)committee member of a college club or society).
- Verification of the commitment of hours by the club, society or organisation with whom the activity took place.
- Completion of the online reflective application form through which students articulate their objectives and expectations of the activity and also any learning derived from the activity.
The online application form will go live on February 15th at http://www.tcd.ie/Community/.
Any queries may be directed to Deanstu@tcd.ie.
Teams of Trinity volunteers have been helping out at the Lighthouse occasionally for the last number of years. The Lighthouse opens a couple of nights a week to provide some food and basic supplies for those people experiencing homelessness. While their home on Pearse St. is being renovated, the service is being provided from a temporary location on Mountjoy Square. Next week we are needed to help catalogue the backlog of clothes donations that were received over the Christmas period. This is a once off commitment that lets you give back to the community and meet new people from across College. We will be meeting at front Arch at 11.45am and back on campus by 4.30pm on February 14th. Email volunteer@tcd.ie if interested.
The Civic Engagement Officer will deliver the National Youth Council's Child Protection Awareness Programme over two evenings (5.30 to 7.30pm on Wednesday 20th and Thursday 21st February). This is open to student volunteers who work with children and would like a refresher as well as those considering or planning to volunteer with children either at home abroad over the coming months. Places are limited so book early by emailing volunteer@tcd.ie. You must be available to attend both evenings in full.
On March 1st From 10.30am until 1pm, a consultation event will be held on campus to review the College’s approach to international volunteering particularly in relation to the communication of opportunities. In light of concerns around “voluntourism”, “neo colonialism” and the myriad of cultural, environmental, economic and social issues associated with development volunteering, this event will incorporate inputs from external stakeholders (including Comhlámh) and a facilitated discussion about responsive and responsible development volunteering. All students and staff with an interest are invited to participate. Those with academic expertise or personal experience of international development organisations and practice are especially welcome. Light refreshments will be provided. Places are limited and can be booked by emailing smiths14@tcd.ie.
The Matt Talbot Community Trust is a drug free community education programme in Ballyfermot. Volunteers are needed to support tutors in the Junior Cert level Maths, Computers and Work Experience courses. Volunteers will be providing one-to-one support for learners who have literacy issues/learning difficulties. As all of our participants are early school leavers, low literacy levels often create a barrier to learning. In some cases, volunteers would be asked to scribe work for learners and then assist them in writing out their work at their own pace after the class. This role would especially suit mature students or students with prior experience in a teaching role in primary, post-primary or adult education environments. Students studying Social Care or Teaching would be well suited to this role also. Email jean.collender@matttalbot.org if interested.
The Exchange Dublin is a volunteer-run all-ages non-profit charitable co-operative arts-cultural-social over-hyphenated open space in Temple Bar. Right now we're looking for people with experience or interest in sound & light engineering, web design/IT, PR, DIY, finance/accounting, fundraising, gallery curation, media production. Exchange Dublin welcomes new volunteers to bring and share their own skills in facilitating a dynamic and varied schedule of classes, performances and projects in development which you are open to participate in, and bring your own projects and ideas into Exchange to develop in a supportive creative community. Come to the weekly volunteer meeting from 7-9pm any Wednesday or pop in to talk to us at a time that suits you. Find out more about upcoming events and exhibitions on www.exchangedublin.ie and find us on facebook and twitter!
Would you like to BeTheChange this Summer in Kolkata, India with The Hope Foundation? HOPE are now recruiting volunteers for our August programme and encourage you to get in touch if you would like some additional information. BeTheChange is a month long volunteer programme based in Kolkata with an opportunity to engage your skills to support street and slum children. Participants are required to undergo Garda vetting, an interview and fundraise €2,250 on top of flights, visa, vaccinations and personal costs. Full induction training is provided. For an information pack, please email nextgenerationhope@gmail.com or visit www.hopefoundation.ie.
Join the lovely sociable bunch at Friends of the Grand Canal on the city end of Leeson St. Bridge on the first Saturday of the month from 10am-12pm. You don't need to bring anything except your enthusiasm. They’ll have litter pickers, bags and gloves for you to use. Starbucks will be on hand to reward your efforts. Just show up on the day!
Calling all passionate musicians who want to give something back to their community! Music Matters are looking for music volunteers to give 2hours + per week to a variety of roles in the community such as entertainment in nursing and residential homes, jamming instrumental sessions at our inclusive community choir rehearsals and gigs! Training will be provided for successful applicants. See http://www.musicmatters.ie for details and email grainne@musicmatters.ie with a little bit about yourself and why you are interested in getting involved.
The Community Training Centre located on Oliver Bond Street in Dublin 8 caters for people between the ages of sixteen and twenty-one who have left school without enough qualifications to progress their career and are now developing their skills at the basic level on the FETAC ladder of qualifications. A volunteer is needed for six to eight hours each week to enhance the work we are doing in both Computer Literacy and Career Preparation at FETAC Level 3. It would be helpful if the volunteer knows the Microsoft Office Package well, has the confidence to work with young people individually and in groups and has some experience of putting together CVs and cover letters which are part of the Career Preparation module. E-mail Joe Gallagher, Manager at j.gallagher@lcta.ie for further information.
A friendly, outgoing helper is needed for the Crosscare Foodbank in Dublin 1. Tasks include loading and unloading of van, sorting of stock, writing up invoices and travelling with van driver for collections and deliveries. Some heavy lifting is involved and a minimum commitment of a half-day per week is requested.
Crosscare Refugee Service works with asylum seekers and refugees. We are seeking a discreet and friendly volunteer, who is a good listener, and who is available Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The role will be to meet and greet visitors to our premises at Sackville Place, Dublin 1, make tea and coffee for them, engage in general conversation and some light housekeeping.
If interested in either role, please contact volunteerunit@crosscare.ie.
If you are 18 or over and have an hour to spare once a week, why not get involved in a Foróige club, meet new people, have a positive effect on young people, learn new skills and have a bit of fun along the way? The clubs are run by adult volunteers, and supported by a professional youth worker. The clubs help young people to develop their skills and talents, and allow the members to get actively involved in their local communities. Email bryan.gavin@foroige.ie (North Dublin), tys@foroige.ie (Tallaght) or fiona.maher@foroige.ie (Blakestown). Volunteers will be required to undergo Garda Vetting and full training.
Conservation Volunteers Ireland organise a wide range of conservation outings all over Dublin. The outings are organised on most Saturdays from 10.00am to 3.00pm. If you are interested in participating in an outing, just let the group leader of that day know that you are coming. He/she will provide you with all the details on how to get there and what to bring. Lifts can be provided from the City Centre or nearby train stations if required. For any general inquiries about projects, volunteering and how to get involved, just e-mail us on dublincv@gmail.com, find Conservation Volunteers Ireland on Facebook or check out the events calendar on www.conservationvolunteers.ie.
Bodywhys are currently looking for volunteers for the Be Body Positive schools programme in the Dublin area. If you're age 20+, have good communication skills, are lively and enthusiastic, and can offer your time, check out this link.
http://www.bodywhys.ie/blog/be-body-positive-volunteers-needed/. For further information please contact Fiona - youthdevelopment@bodywhys.ie.
S2S is a student-led initiative that relies entirely on volunteers. If you're considering volunteering with us we can guarantee that you will be highly valued and appreciated, and that we will endeavour to support you in any training and career development you require. There are two ways you can volunteer with S2S; as a Peer Mentor or as a Peer Supporter. Some students decide they would like to do both, but many choose to focus on one or the other to begin with until they get a feel for how much time they can commit. If you want to become a Peer Mentor you will be working with one or two other volunteers to greet a group of up to 30 incoming first year students and assist them through their Junior Freshman year in Trinity College. Click here to learn more about becoming a Peer Mentor.
We are currently looking for a Chinese speaking volunteer with fluent English for the once-off Migrant Project ACTIVE. The event takes place in the Mansion House on Thursday, February 28th from 11am-2pm. Volunteers would be responsible for interpreting information on the day from English to Chinese for anyone that might require that service on the day; offering assistance with any English language-related difficulties of the participants. The Migrant Project ACTIVE was set up with the vision to help integrating migrants through volunteering in their new communities. As a follow up from the launch of the Migrant Project ACTIVE, we are hosting a half day conference on 28th February 2013 for both migrants and non-profit community organisations from across the Dublin City. On the day there will be presentations, discussions and a community fair. Email placement@volunteerdublincitynorth.ie if you fit the bill!Outreach Moldova (ORM) was founded by Trinity alumnus Dr Suzanne O’Connell in 2000. ORM runs volunteer programme in Moldova between May and October working with children that have been orphaned or abandoned, children with special needs and children with terminal illnesses in Moldova. Volunteers travel to Moldova on short- term placements throughout the summer and participate in a range of activities with children & young adults including children’s games, sports, arts & crafts & sensory activities. Volunteers need to raise €1,900 to cover the flights, accommodation and board, and contribute to the cost of care of the children and towards various programmes run for them (medical, educational, social etc.). Email info@outreachmoldova.org for an information pack.
Depaul have opportunities for befrienders, tutors, gardeners and activities facilitators at locations all around the city. They are asking for just two hours a week of your time. Volunteers are required to bring a personal and human aspect to the residents of low threshold homelessness services around Dublin city. For more information visit www.depaulireland.org or contact volunteer.coordinator@depaulireland.org.January Opportunities
1.Get your Gaisce Award
2.Info stands in James’, D’Olier St and Milltown this month
3. Be a RAG Week fundraiser
4. We Volunteer Exhibition in the Hamilton
5. Volunteer at Jameson Dublin International Film Festival: Deadline 18th
6 Helpers needed for New Years Dinner for the homeless on Saturday 19th
7.Intern needed to review College International Volunteering Policy
8. New Volunteers meeting for Trinity Arts Festival on Monday 21st
9. Volunteer with Student-led Social Enterprises
10. Voluntary Tuition Programme needs tutors locally
11. Mural Painting
12. Be a Job Coach for Young Person with Intellectual Disability
13. Be part of the St. Patrick’s Festival
14. Partially Funded Opportunities in South Africa and Guatemala
15. Residential Waterway Conservation in Britain
16. Rothar seeks volunteer in Dun Laoghaire
17. Think Big Grants available
18. Help ALONE build a society that values and empowers older people
19. Older people and hospital visiting and youthwork
20. Get involved with Engineers without Borders
21. Participate in survey on volunteering, attachment and happiness
One way to keep those New Year’s resolutions on track is to start working towards Gaisce- the Presidents’ Award. Open to all those under 25, Gaisce involves 4 sections: a weekly commitment to spending at least one hour developing a personal skill, engaging in some community voluntary activity and undertaking physical activity as well as embarking on an adventure journey of several days. How long you have to keep this up depends on whether you’re striving for the Award as bronze, silver or gold level. If you are a student at Trinity, the Civic Engagement Officer can act as your Award Leader. See further detail at www.tcd.ie/Community,
If you are based at one of the above sites and didn’t have a chance to make it to the volunteer fair last November or would like to talk to someone about volunteering possibilities, the civic engagement officer will be making lunchtime site visits to School of Ecumenics on Tuesday the 22nd, to the School of nursing and Midwifery on Wednesday the 23rd and to the Trinity Centre in St James’s the following Tuesday 29th. Feel free to pop along to pick up volunteering information and ask related questions. You can also email queries to volunteer@tcd.ie.
So those of you familiar with this bulletin know that we generally don’t plug fundraising activities. However, RAG week is an exception as the causes in question are either run by Trinity students, benefit Trinity students or both. RAG Week 2013 is taking place next week with a variety of activities taking place during each day and night. Proceeds go towards Trinity VDP, the Voluntary Tuition Programme, Student2Student Peer Mentoring, Trinity Suas, Trinity Free Legal Advice Centre, Trinity Amnesty, Cancer Soc, and the Student Hardship Fund. You can sign up to raise money through getting involved in activities already taking place, or by coming up with your own idea. Further information from Trinity Ents.
It’s Back! Just in case you missed it the first time. The We Volunteer Exhibition profiles student volunteers from all over the country involved in everything from outreach to sex workers, sports umpiring, community radio stations, medical work in Vietnam, animal welfare, pilgrimage help in France and of course, much, much, more. Visit the exhibition downstairs in the Hamilton from Tuesday to Friday of RAG week. If you can’t make it in person, you can also look through the exhibition online at www.wevolunteer.ie.
Applications to volunteer at the 11th Jameson Dublin International Film Festival close tomorrow. Each year, film enthusiasts of all ages, occupations and nationalities, generously commit to staffing various departments and venues for the festival period. Volunteer teams work predominantly on the front line in our venues, but can also be found staffing the ticketing office, production and hospitality departments. So, if you love film, and have the availability then we would invite you to join in the adventure and help us celebrate one of Ireland’s leading cultural events. Apply online at http://www.jdiff.com.
The Light House is an initiative of Dublin Christian Mission which has been serving Dublin’s homeless community for over twenty years through a regular drop-in service that provides hot meals, something to drink, donated blankets, clothing and footwear. This Saturday (January 19th) at 6pm, they are having their annual New Year’s Dinner at their temporary premises at 20 Mountjoy Square, Dublin 1. Help is needed from 3pm to set up. If you are interested, contact Rocheanne on 0851032540.
Currently in order to be included in this bulletin or attend the annual volunteer fair on campus, an organisation must be not-for-profit and a signatory to the Comhlámh Code of Good Practice for sending organisations. This precludes organisations whose structures may be non-traditional or who are not registered in Ireland. It is time for this policy to be reviewed and ask questions about how we inform the College community about responsive and responsible development volunteering. The Civic Engagement Officer is recruiting a student intern for a minimum of 3 hours a week to work on this review, host an event of contributors and coordinate a subgroup to refine the policy. The role may also involve some other administrative support of the work of the Civic Engagement Officer. Those interested should send a CV and cover letter to volunteer@tcd.ie by 12pm on Wednesday January 23rd.
Trinity's greatest explosion of art will take place from February 4th - 8th. Trinity Arts Festival (TAF) will be running workshops, exhibitions, talks, master classes, interactive installations, performances, films, and other wildly stimulating events. But TAF needs help! YOUR help! To get involved, come along to the Volunteer meeting on Monday at 7 pm in Room 2037 the Robert Emmet Lecture Theatre in the Arts Block. You can find Trinity Arts Festival on Facebook.
Trinity Enactus is a student led initiative using knowledge and expertise honed in College to empower those in need in our community and responding with creativity and imagination to the challenges and opportunities of a shared future. Projects include supporting those who are long-term unemployed to seek work (Voice for the Voiceless), a programme combating foodwaste through redistribution of excess produce to charities (Food Glorious Food), the development of a daily deals platform designed to save people money and help charities (Fifty-Fifty), a media-based project connecting underprivileged secondary school students with journalistic opportunities (Write-Up!) and the sourcing, importing and retailing of ethically produced clothing from Africa (Ethnic Threads). You can find out more on the Enactus TCD Facebook page and click on any of the links above to contact project leaders and express an interest in volunteering.
The VTP is a collaboration between the St. Andrew’s Resource Centre on Pearse Street and Trinity Students, supported by the Trinity Access Programme. They match students with local children needing homework support and subject specific tuition as well as hosting some social activities. VTP is looking for a number of new tutors for primary school one-on-one tuition for this term as well as people to support in the running of their sports and Drama clubs. Contact them through the VTP Facebook page and get started immediately!
What it says on the tin. Join other Trinity students in this non-vetted activity being run by the Trinity Vincent de Paul. If you’d like to learn more, email Dan at eamesd@tcd.ie.
The National Institute for Intellectual Disabilities (NIID) in Trinity promotes full inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in the community through education, research and advocacy. Job Coaches will accompany NIID students on their work placement in Dublin City Centre for four hours once a week. They act as a support to the student as they experience working in an organisation and learning new skills. Job coaches should be at least 18 years old, have good communication skills, be friendly & outgoing and have a positive attitude towards people with disabilities. Placements begin 4th February 2013 so contact Niamh Lally, 01 8962179, lallyn@tcd.ie as soon as possible with your availability to volunteer.
The principal aim of St. Patrick’s Festival, since its inauguration in 1995, is to develop a major annual international festival around the national holiday over which the ‘owners’ of the festival, the Irish people, would stand proud. It sets out to reflect the talents and achievements of Irish people on many national and world stages, and it acts as an exciting showcase for the manifold skills of the people of Ireland, of every age and social background. If you’re reliable, enthusiastic and want to help with the organisation of this world-renowned celebration then apply online at www.stpatricksfestival.ie.
EIL’s global Awareness Programme allows you to learn more about international development, explore the challenges and solutions to critical global issues in communities around the world and play your part in educating others on your return to Ireland. Applications are now open for 4 partially funded places on the Global Awareness Programme 2013. The projects in South Africa relate to HIV/AIDS while in Guatemala the focus is on the environment. Apply online at www.eilireland.org before February 8th.
Waterway Recovery Group are the national co-ordinating body for voluntary labour on the inland waterways of Britain. They run week long residential “Canal Camps” to restore the industrial heritage and environment of historic waterways. Each camp runs for seven days and volunteers are asked to contribute £56 for the week towards the cost of their accommodation and the three meals a day that are provided. Accommodation is in sports centre, schools or village halls. Waterway Recovery Group is almost an entirely voluntary organisation, but has built up an extensive base of professional skills. See www.wrg.org.uk for further information and to see what the group has achieved to date. You would be very welcome to join a camp this summer.
Rothar takes unwanted, abandoned bicycles and turns them into quality affordable second-hand bicycles all the while creating opportunities for other community organisations and the socially disadvantages and raising awareness about the environment and sustainable. Find out more at www.rothar.ie. Rothar currently needs volunteers for the Dun Laoghaire shop! If you are interested please contact Eoin on 01 2140646 or Niall at niall@rothar.ie.
Think Big is a programme designed by O2 and Headstrong to enable young people to do projects in their community that make a difference to young peoples' mental health. If you are aged between 14 - 25, have ideas and think you can make a difference, Think Big would love to have you involved. You'll attend a day's training at the O2 offices in Dublin. The day will be great fun and is designed to develop your skills as you get ready for the project. Projects usually run for up to 3 months but if you need more time don't worry, let your O2 mentor know. They are there to help you every step of the way. Learn more at http://www.o2thinkbig.ie/.
In ALONE, we could not do our work without the dedication and support of our 130 volunteers. We hope to increase our volunteer numbers in 2013 so that we can continue to support isolated and vulnerable older people. We are currently recruiting for the following volunteer roles-click on the individual roles for further details: Befriending Volunteers, Cinema Club Coordinator, Fundraising Intern, Large Events Volunteer, Social Events Volunteer, Coffee Morning Volunteer. Volunteers must be over 18 years of age and must have completed an ALONE induction process before they commence their activity. All volunteer applicants are screened and Garda-vetted and benefit from a core training programme. Contact our Volunteer Coordinators at.volunteering@alone.ie.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is the largest, voluntary, charitable organisation in Ireland. Its membership of 10,500 volunteers throughout the country are supported by professional staff, working for social justice and the creation of a more just, caring nation. Volunteers are currently needed all over the SVP Dublin Region to support their visiting, hospital visiting and youth work activities. See www.svp.ie for details and telephone 01 8198414 if interested.
Engineers Without Borders (EWB-Ireland) is a non-profit voluntary organisation for engineers, scientists, students and other committed volunteers interested in applying their technical skills to remove barriers to development. EWB Ireland volunteers will be running 'Water for the World' and 'Squishy Circuits' workshops with primary and second level students as part of Engineers Week this year. The more volunteers the merrier so if you have an hour or two to spare, contact Edel at edel.casserly@ewb-ireland.org. You are also welcome to come along to a Water and Sanitation themed event in the Museum Building at 6:30pm on Wednesday the 30th of January, where a panel of engineers will share some insights into their work in the field and discuss some of the challenges and successes they've encountered. Read the EWB-Ireland newsletter to learn more.
Marie Murray is a final year psychology student undertaking a research study that investigates the relationship between attachment, volunteering activities and subjective happiness. There is no requirement for being an active volunteer or having volunteered in the past to participate. The research is being conducted using an on-line questionnaire that takes approximately ten minutes to complete. At the end of the survey, there will be an opportunity to enter a draw for a €50.00 one-for-all voucher and apply for a research credit if appropriate. You can complete the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/J8BR8ZS.
December Opportunities
1. Volunteer at Jameson Dublin International Film Festival
2. Translation, proof-reading and project management opportunities with the Rosetta Foundation
3. Write for Spunout
4. Train and Volunteer with Niteline
5. Volunteer in South Africa with Magis Ireland next July
6. Former separated children requiring peer tuition at third level
7. Volunteer for Citizen Application Support Services
8. Help Distribute Christmas Hampers this Saturday
9. 12 month Focus Ireland programme for Social Science Graduates
10. Italian Language Support for Inner City School students
11. Cloudthink: A student-led primary school maths tutoring initiative
12. Be a NYE Dublin Festival Volunteer
13. Be a student moderator on ProYouth.eu
14. Fighting Words seeks Writing Tutors
15. Volunteer in South Africa next June with Going Brown
16. Volunteer with Marriage Equality
17. Mentor a young person involved with Probation Service
18. Ozanam House summer projects 2013 need volunteers
19. Barretstown deadlines approaching!
20. Uganda volunteering - 3 week summer placements
Applications to Volunteer at the 11th Jameson Dublin International Film Festival are now open! Each year, film enthusiasts of all ages, occupations and nationalities, generously commit to staffing various departments and venues for the festival period. Volunteer teams work predominantly on the front line in our venues, but can also be found staffing the ticketing office, production and hospitality departments. So, if you love film, and have the availability then we would invite you to join in the adventure and help us celebrate one of Ireland’s leading cultural events. Apply online before January 18th at http://www.jdiff.com.
The Rosetta Foundation is a volunteer-based charity supporting the translation needs of non-profit organisations around the world. We currently support 40 non-profit organisations in Ireland and abroad, including Special Olympics, Trócaire, Ruhama, the Community Eye Health Journal, Medicos del Mundo, and many more. We are looking for translators/proof-readers of all languages to volunteer their skills for NGO translation projects of their choice. Volunteers are also needed to assist with the project management of our volunteer translation projects. All volunteering can be done from home through our online Community Portal. Full training will be provided in our Dublin office before you start. To find out more about us, visit our website www.therosettafoundation.org or email info@therosettafoundation.org.
SpunOut.ie is the most visited youth website in Ireland with thousands of visitors every day reading our many health & lifestyles articles... but we need more! Our site is written by young people between the ages of 16 and 25 for other young people. Christmas is approaching and we need lots of festive content to post to the site, are you a festive fanatic or a seasonal grinch? Write for us. We've a number of topics we need covering. At the same time, the window for filling out college and university applications is fast approaching. Whether you've been through it all or you're about to apply, why not share your experience with our readers? Write for us. We've lots of aspects of the application process which need to be covered. Interested? Email editor@spunout.ie to let us know what you'd like to write about.
Want to do something special in college? Niteline may be for you. Niteline is a student run listening service that provides confidential and non judgemental support 7 nights a week to the students of TCD, UCD, DCU, NCAD and RCSI. Our comprehensive training programme will equip volunteers with invaluable skills in attentive listening and open communication. Students who volunteer report that their time with Niteline has been one of the most eye-opening and fulfilling experiences they’ve had at college. All of our volunteers are required to remain anonymous which requires a unique form of commitment. If you think you may be suitable, download an application form at www.niteline.ie/the-volunteers.php.
Magis Ireland is a Jesuit organisation who works with young adults (18-35yrs) in social justice and faith activities. We have a long proud tradition of working together with volunteers in Africa, South America and Jamaica. This year we are inviting applicants for our South Africa short term volunteering programme for two weeks next July. You can make a difference in the lives of others while this programme also offers possibilities to develop personal and professional skills. You will be asked to raise €750, allocated to the host organisation and community and a percentage goes towards Magis Ireland’s cost incurred in setting up and running the programme. This does not include Orientation, Airfare or Accommodation. Read past volunteer’s stories on our website www.magisireland.com or contact Debbie for further details at debbie.moore@magisireland.com.
A number of young adults who have come through the separated children seeking asylum process are now studying at third level and through Crosscare are accessing some peer support to help them with the following subjects: Software Development, electrical Engineering, Material Science, Research and Statistics. The students are available weekdays from 5.30 p.m., based at our premises at Upper Wellington Street, Dublin 7. If you have done well in these or similar subjects and might be in a position to help a fellow student reach their potential, contact volunteerunit@crosscare.ie to express your interest.
The Citizenship Application Support Service (CASS) is an initiative of the New Communities Partnership funded by the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration. It is a free information and support service established in recognition of the need to promote greater understanding of the citizenship application process amongst immigrants. Volunteers provide the day-to-day citizenship information service support to immigrant clients. Interested and committed volunteers are needed to help in the fast expanding CASS. Volunteers would be required to give at least two days a week (Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10am-4pm) in our head office in Dublin 8 although it may be only one day a month and one day weekly in some of our outreach centres. To get involved, submit your CV to mernan@newcommunities.ie or contact the National Helpline on 01 6773887 for more details.
The Irish Deaf Society is the National Association of the Deaf and has been in existence since 1981, unfortunately we receive no core government funding and in this hard economic climate we are struggling to survive. The IDS offer advocacy, education and support to the Deaf community through their preferred language Irish Sign Language. The shop on North Circular Road is one of the main fundraising operations and needs your help.For further information please text Janette at 086 785 1713 or Lorraine 086 413 7970.
Focus Ireland operates a graduate recruitment programme that offers opportunities to college graduates to develop their skills and expertise in the area of social and community work. It is particularly suited to graduates of Social Science courses who are interested in gaining experience prior to returning to complete their masters in Social Care. Full training and a living allowance are provided. The programme runs from September to August every year and there are 14 places. The closing date for applications for the 2013/2014 programme is 15th February 2013. See http://www.focusireland.ie/ for details.
For the last few years Trinity volunteers have worked with Larkin Community College (just off O'Connell St) to helped Leaving Certificate students with their oral Italian. The students have done well in their exams so the teacher has come back to us to see if any students or staff would be interested to have conversations in Italian with the Larkin Italian class of 2012. There are about 10 students taking Higher Level Italian in the school and who would like to avail of after school classes- most likely on Mondays from 3.45 to 4.45pm. The teacher will provide specific material and learning outcomes for each tutor to work on. The material will be relevant to the Leaving Certificate Exam which the students will sit in June 2012. If interested, email deniseanneobrien@yahoo.com.
Volunteers are needed with a competence in basic maths and an interest in teaching it. Volunteers will support primary school students in learning how to use www.khanacademy.org to supplement and enhance their maths education in collaboration with the teachers if participating primary schools. Volunteers will be expected to develop familiarity with the system in order to demonstrate to students and teachers how to use it most effectively. Induction and supervision will be provided from your volunteer leader. See www.cloudthink.ie to find out more and email patrick@cloudthink.ie to get involved.
Here's one for those of you looking to do something a little different this New Years Eve- NYE Dublin 2013 NYE 2013 () will kick off The Gathering 2013 on New Years Eve with a number of events to mark the start of an exciting year here in Ireland. There are a number of fun opportunities for you: you could help making lanterns for the Peoples Procession of Light, or give information at the Countdown Concert featuring Imelda May and Bell X1 or assist staff in preparing the Fireworks Spectacular. These volunteer opportunities are in and around Dublin 2 will take place on 31st December from 5pm onwards. Volunteers must commit to attend orientation training on either Thursday 27 December from 18:00 to 20:30 or on Saturday 29 December from 11:00 to 13:30 in Dublin City Centre Dublin. Apply online at www.nyedublin.ie.
The ProYouth initiative, led by the TCD Counselling Service focuses on the promotion of health in young people aged 15 to 25, specifically related to healthy eating, body satisfaction, and eating disorders. The online platform offers various information and support modules to young people. Many young people prefer to seek support from peers than from parents or professionals and so ProYouth encourages participants to communicate with each other via the online platform (e.g. in the discussion forum or during group chats), to exchange thoughts and ideas around mental health and well being and to support each other when needed. For that reason, we are looking for motivated students from all over Ireland to get involved as volunteers with the ProYouth project. Learn more and apply online at www.proyouth.eu.
Fighting Words is a creative writing centre, near Croke Park in Dublin 1. It is a big, bright, colourful place where school groups come in the mornings and afternoons to take part in a creative writing workshop. All workshops are free of charge. We need volunteers who enjoy working with young people in a relaxed and creative environment. Volunteering with us is flexible - there is no minimum time commitment. If interested please take a look at the website www.fightingwords.ie or call Jean at the office on (01) 894 4576. We would be delighted to hear from you!
Going Brown and our South African partner Tshulu Trust are organising a group volunteer project in HaMakuya, Limpopo from 15th June to 7th July 2013. Volunteers teach primary and secondary school students in fun environment. Participating volunteers will need to raise €2100 which covers development project costs, food & accommodation in comfortable safari tents, in-country transport, flights and costs associated with organisation, administration, project leadership & development education. Further information and application form available at www.goingbrown.org/volunteer or contact Oisin oconnoro@goingbrown.org.
Do you have 2 hours per fortnight to make a valuable contribution and work on one of the major civil rights issue of this generation? We’re looking for passionate and committed volunteers to help out on our phone lines, to mobilise supporters in the campaign for marriage equality. If you enjoy working as part of a team, want to be involved in grassroots mobilisation and have excellent communications skills and telephone manner, then this could be the volunteering opportunity for you! To find out more about volunteering with Marriage Equality, please contact Dawn at dawn@marriagequality.ie.
We are eager to hear from Male and Female volunteers, aged 20 and over, to act as mentors in Dublin & Kildare. A Le Chéile mentor is a role model, who works one to one with a young person or parent involved with the Probation Service. Being a mentor involves meeting a young person or parent for 2-3 hours a week and can include trying new activities & assisting with practical issues like accessing training or education. We provide full training and an opportunity to gain real experience.If you are interested and can commit to one year’s volunteering, please email recruitment@lecheile.ie for more information or an application pack or contact Claire on 0872016801. Training begins in Jan/Feb2013.
Friends Ozanam House Resource Centre is a community resource centre run by SVP based in Mountjoy Square. With two summer projects: one for 6-12 years (1st July-26th July) which will run Monday-Friday 10am - 4pm and the Summer Youth Service which works with 13-18 years (17th June-12th July) from Monday-Friday 12pm-5pm. All projects are activity based including Arts & Crafts, Cookery, Sports and games, swimming, photography and much more! Volunteers are encourages to be as involved in the projects as possible –the more you put in the more you get from the experience. If interested please contact Linda by email ozanamadmin@iol.ie.
Barretstown is a specially-designed camp that provides Therapeutic Recreation programmes for children with serious illnesses and their families. Barretstown’s mission is to rebuild the lives of children affected by serious illness and their families. Every year Barretstown needs 700 volunteers who perform a key role in supporting and encouraging each child to take part in all aspects of camp, while making sure they’re safe and supervised at all times. Most importantly volunteers help the children have fun! Apply online at www.barretstown.org. The closing date for the Spring is the end Dec and Summer 25th Jan.
Nurture Africa is an Irish charity that exists to provide healthcare and education for vulnerable children in Uganda and is organising 3 week trips to work in Uganda during summer 2013. You can develop your personal qualities and professional skills, learn about a different culture and gain a new perspective on the world. Applicants must be at least 20 at commencement of placement and should be motivated, adaptable and enthusiastic. Placements are available for student nurses, teachers and general workers. Further information and application details are available at: www.nurtureafrica.ie/volunteer
April Opportunities
This update has information on:
1. Job coaching with students with intellectual disabilities
2. Monthly Clean-Up on Grand Canal
3. Support social outlets for people with disabilities.
4. Volunteer in Germany through Post-war Reconciliation Camp
5. Engineering Students needed to visit Schools
6. After School/Youth Club for Homeless Children
7. Help run Summer Projects for Inner City Kids
8. Marketing/Sponsorhip Internship with Plan Ireland
9. Experience Life in Rural Kenya through Volunteering
10. Join a Medical/Water Sanitisation Brigade in Ghana/Honduras
11. Be an Art Facilitator on Depaul Ireland's Creative Team
12. Join Habitat for Humanity’s Global village programme this summer
13. All Hands of Deck for Tall Ships Races in late August
14. Volunteer for Independent Music Festival Knockanstockan
15. Residential Experience with People with Intellectual Disabilities
16. Befriend someone experiencing mental health difficulties
The National Institute for Intellectual Disability is currently looking for volunteers to act as job coaches for a student with an intellectual disability as they complete their six week work placements. Beginning in May, the volunteer will shadow the student for two hours once a week and facilitate their engagement in the job. While good communication skills, patience and enthusiasm are important, previous experience working in the area of disability is not required. If you’re interested in this opportunity, or would like more information, don’t hesitate to contact Andrew at aturner@tcd.ie.
Join Friends of the Grand Canal on the city end of Leeson St. Bridge on the first Saturday of any/every month from 10am-12pm. You don't need to bring anything except your enthusiasm. They’ll have litter pickers, bags and gloves for you to use. There have been lots of beautiful spring time developments along the Grand Canal this month; Colourful barges at Mespil Road, a Swan sitting on 5 swan coloured eggs in a nest near Leeson St. Bridge, little bumble bee ducklings whizzing around after their mothers. Come along and see it all close up, with a litter picker in your hand and a cup of coffee in the other. Starbucks will be on hand to ensure you don’t go thirsty. If you would like to be informed of future clean ups, contact breffnie@gmail.com and ask to be added to the mailing list.
CASA (the Caring and Sharing Association) runs social events, holidays, and respite for people with disabilities with the aims of developing friendships, fun, and social outlets. Volunteers attend monthly social activities where they work on a one to one basis with a CASA member with a disability. Monthly social activities are usually held on a Sunday in a hotel where there is mass followed by lunch followed by music and dancing. The monthly social aims to facilitate genuine friendships between members and volunteers offering an important and regular social outlet for members. CASA events are often the only regular social outlet for members. Volunteers are asked to commit to attending one social activity a month between the hours of two and six. Volunteers can also do respite short respite breaks in our house in Malahide. Activities during the respite break vary and can include shopping, bowling, cinema and other such social pursuits. Respite breaks can be between 2 and 5 days. CASA has become a valuable part of so many lives and are working to keen that activities are sustained. Email Rebecca (rebecca@casa.ie) if you would like to get involved.
The Action Reconciliation Service for Peace (ARSP) runs a series of summer camps in memorial sites and other projects across Europe each year. The camps bring young people from all over the world together to deal with the topic of Nazism and the long-term effects it has had on European societies, as well as examining the broader issues of racism and nationalism in the world today. Each camp is different, but they generally last for up to two weeks and includes voluntary work (eg. helping to preserve Jewish cemeteries, or carving the names of former concentration camp prisoners onto stones for a memorial path). Most camps run on a bi-lingual basis, but it is preferable if applicants have at least basic school-level German. Participation costs €130 plus travel costs and includes all accommodation, food, etc during the camp (discounts are available depending on individual circumstances). For more information or to apply to take part, see ARSP's website or contact Daniel Farrell (farreld3@tcd.ie), a recent Trinity graduate who is currently working as a volunteer with ARSP at the Buchenwald concentration camp memorial site.
Engineers Ireland’s STEPS programme is looking to recruit volunteers to visit schools in their local area. Primary schools have registered their interest in a visit with us and STEPS are hoping to match them with a volunteer engineering student (undergrad or postgrad) before the end of the school year. The ability to speak about the engineering profession to a non technical audience is an important skill for any engineer. Engineers that sign up to visit schools will be sent a volunteer pack which contains everything they need for the visit, including customisable presentations targeted towards the relevant audience and useful tips on presenting in schools. If relevant to you, STEPS will also be able to keep a record of volunteer visits for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) purposes – for anyone interested in the title of Chartered Engineer each school visit counts as ½ a CPD day, and you can gain up to 3 CPD days per year through school visits and career events. A visit to a primary school typically takes 1 hour. If you are interested in finding out more please visit www.steps.ie or contact Kate (kcannon@engineersireland.ie) directly.
Short and longer term volunteers are needed to support the City of Dublin VEC’s Foundation programme just off O’Connell St. The foundations programme provides after school/youth groups for children aged from 4-14years, who are currently homeless or have been affected by homelessness in the past. Services run from 2pm-6pm Monday-Friday offering one-to-one support to children, running outreach book clubs in a range of different homeless accommodations and there is also an upcoming summer project. If volunteers have specific skills that they can bring to the role such as, art, dance, sports, drama etc, these will be utilised where appropriate. If you are interested please forward a CV to Amy Nyhan at CDVEC Foundations Project, 1 Parnell Square, Dublin 1 or amy.nyhan@parnell.cdvec.ie. Volunteers should be undertaking a relevant course (such as childcare, teaching, social studies), have some experience working with children and have good English.
Ozanam House in Mountjoy Square, Dublin 1 run a series of Summer Projects for some 150 children and young people involved in action packed, activity based programmes. The summer projects are run for younger children (2-8yrs) in July and August, 6-12 year olds in July and there is a smaller project for teenagers in late June/early July. They great fun, very energising and also very rewarding as we engage vulnerable children from the inner city who otherwise would not have any activities or holidays during the summer. The children do arts and crafts, sports, film making, cookery, weekly excursions, photography, fashion design, swimming and much more. Volunteers are needed to make sure this happens. Contact Linda at 01-8742804 or ozanamadmin@iol.ie or see www.ozanamhouse.ie to get involved.
Plan Ireland is recruiting a volunteer to work with our Marketing & Sponsorship team in Dublin City Centre. This is an opportunity to see how a charity, like Plan Ireland, operates and to support a very busy team where no two days are exactly the same. This role will include data entry, monitoring communications from sponsor to sponsored child, mail outs, digital filing, event management administration and other administrative tasks that may be required. The volunteer should have good computer literacy, some previous admin experience and an interest in the non for profit sector. We are looking for someone to support our team for 3 days a week, or possibly more, depending on availability. Please note that Plan Ireland cover local travel expense for all of our volunteers. If you are interested in this voluntary role then please email your CV, including two referees, to Claire Byrne at claire.byrne@plan-international.org
Friends of Londiani have announced the dates of their volunteer projects for this year. August 5th to 19th (2weeks) or August 5th to 26th (3 weeks). In October/November, projects will run from October 27th and finish on November 11th or 18th depending on whether the volunteer participated in the 2 or 3 week project. The cost of the 2 week project is €1,800 and the 3 week project is €1,900 and this covers flights, accomodation, food, transport in country, 3 overnight stays in hotels at beginning and end of the project. Each participant is required to fundraise a minimum of €1,000 to fund the project itself. Additional costs that vary from person to person and are not included in the above include travel insurance, travel vaccinations, Kenyan visa and any optional tourist activities. Visit www.friendsoflondiani.com or email rosehennessy@friendsoflondiani.com.
In June a 10 day medical brigade will be going to Ghana to work on providing medical assistance to members of the community. A second brigade will be travelling to Honduras in October, South America to support the sanitisation of water facilities in communities there. Students getting involved need to fundraise or cover their own costs which are approximately €650 in-country which includes travel insurance, flights (€600-1000), visa and vaccination. Contact danielle.mathews@globalbrigades.org for more details.
Depaul are looking for people skilled in any medium who, ideally, have experience of working within a collaborative context and are able to engage a complex group of service users. This is a unique opportunity to work with a dynamic team, further your own experience and knowledge and make a difference to society. Artists are given induction training, group facilitation mentoring throughout the programme and will have the practical support of Depaul staff and volunteers as well as an artistic coordinator. Artists will also have a budget for production/materials. Depaul Ireland provides accommodation, outreach and training services to people experiencing homelessness and disadvantage, offering key services to people who many others struggle to work with- street drinkers, women in prison, families who others have given up on, those with behavioural, self-harm and addiction problems. The programme’s aim is to explore and showcase the artistic talents of the service users, enrich the talents of the artists and empower and educate all involved. It is also to create artwork that is challenging, innovative and original. Collaboration and skill exchange play a big part in the programme with the aim of developing service users to be independent artists in their own right. Further details from The Wheel.
On location you will live and work alongside local people in Zambia, Mozambique or Paraguay for two weeks, carrying out construction work on site (from laying bricks to painting walls) and participating in cultural activities off site. As part of Habitat’s Global Village programme, you will fundraise to provide your team with the means to build new Habitat homes in the country you visit, as well as to raise awareness of inadequate housing and poverty issues at home. Depending on which trip you apply for, your fundraising target will range from €3,000 – €3,400. A deposit of 250 euro will be sent in with your application form. Habitat for Humanity Ireland is an Independent, non-profit organisation and a global leader in addressing poverty housing that helped to improve the lives of over 2 million people in more than 90 countries. To apply visit our website www.habitatireland.ie and fill out an application form. For further information contact Rachel on 015312035 or email Rachel@habitatireland.ie.
Dublin is set to be the final host port for the Tall Ships Races 2012 with magnificent Tall Ships lining the city quays north and south of the river Liffey from 23rd–26th August. The Tall Ships Races 2012 Dublin Event needs volunteers to ensure smooth sailing from start to finish. There are a wide variety of roles to choose from welcome ambassadors to ship liaison to technical crew and production. We are inviting volunteers of all ages and levels of experience to apply. Marine and language skills are highly sought but not required and training will be provided beforehand. Be a part of this maritime event and apply to volunteer today at www.dublintallships.ie/volunteer or enquiries to volunteer@dublintallships.ie.
Knockanstockan is a 3-day, open air, Independent Music and Arts Festival held annually beside the Blessington lakes in Lacken Co. Wicklow. Knockanstockan delivers a diverse musical programme showcasing 150 Irish Acts over the three days with a state of the art production level that has a high industry standard.The overall programme of events is devised and delivered by a collaboration of musicians, artists, community members and over 250 volunteers. This festival is a non-profit and the crew all work voluntarily. We are looking for volunteers in the following roles: Production, Build & Break, Stewarding, Art Team and more. Learn more and apply at http://knockanstockan.ie/festival/volunteer/.
L’Arche is an international federation of communities of people with and without intellectual disabilities who share life together, in a practical and spiritual way. L’Arche Dublin is a small community, in Baldoyle, which provides homes to 7 people with intellectual disabilities and the volunteer assistants who come to share their lives. L’Arche Dublin is looking for full-time live in volunteers to share life with the core members (who have both physical and intellectual disabilities) and other assistants. Our assistants come from all over the world and undertake the everyday tasks of shopping, cooking and cleaning as well as helping those core members who need assistance with personal hygiene, dressing, getting in and out of bed etc. Assistants are volunteers who usually come for 12 months. They get bed and board and a small stipend of about 292 Euro per month. They get 3 weeks paid holidays per 12 months stay. Each week the assistant gets 1.5 days off and a long weekend of 3.5 days per month. To find out more about us please see www.larchedublin.org.
The Sanctuary at Stanhope Street, Dublin 7 is recruiting for their befriending service The Friends of Mary Aikenhead.
Mary Aikenhead lived in Stanhope Street in 1819 and from there she reached out to the poor of Dublin. The Friends of Mary Aikenhead are a group of people who wish to continue her work today by extending the hand of friendship to people living in the Dublin 7 area who may be experiencing mental health difficulties or have few social outlets. Volunteers should be at least 21 years of age, be able to demonstrate a genuine interest in wanting to meet and befriend people with a mental health need, volunteer a minimum of 4 hours a month, for a minimum of one year, not expect to receive payment of any kind and participate in the volunteer support framework. All volunteers are subjected to the normal Garda Vetting procedures. For an application form, email sanctuaryvolunteer@gmail.com.
March Opportunities Bulletin
1. Dean of Students’ Roll of Honour
2. European Voluntary Service and Good Practice when Volunteering Abroad Info: Tuesday 13th in the Atrium
3. Forthcoming Training: Child Protection (21st and 22nd) and Listening Skills (27th)
4. Team Outreach Event for Postgraduate Students: Thursday 22nd
5. Homelessness Awareness Week starts the 12th!
6. Student Run Programme Supporting Long-term Unemployed in the Locality
7. Promote Niteline
8. Student2Student Recruiting New Peer Mentors for Next Year’s Freshers
9. Tutor Older People and Support AgeAction
10. New Homework Support Initiative in Inner City School
11. Volunteer for Progressio’s Water Challenge: March 22nd
12. Help run Summer Projects for Inner City Kids
13. Work with Outreach Moldova this Summer
14. Bike Reuse and Recycling Volunteering
15. EIL Volunteer Abroad Awards
16. HeadsUp seek Youth Advisors
17. Shine Mental Health Information Line
18. Help Combat Malnutrition among Older People
19. Dublin Lesbian Line Volunteers and Supporters
20. Maths Tutors Required for Leaving Cert Students
The Dean of Students' Roll of Honour serves to celebrate and recognise student volunteering in clubs, societies, publications and the wider community. Students who are registered at the time of the application deadline (March 29th 2012) are eligible to apply.
The criteria for inclusion on the Dean of Students' Roll of Honour are as follows:
- Dedication of a minimum of 20 hours to any one form of extra-curricular voluntary activity between April 1st 2011 and March 29th 2012.
- Only participation in activities that entails some element of organisation and/or delivery of the activity in question will be taken into account (e.g. volunteering as a scout leader, student journalist or (sub)committee member of a college club or society).
- Verification of the commitment of hours by the club, society or organisation with whom the activity took place.
- Completion of the online reflective application form through which students articulate their objectives and expectations of the activity and also any learning derived from the activity.
Access the online application form at http://www.tcd.ie/Community/students/roll-honour/apply.php
The Irish National Agency for the European Voluntary Service (Léargas) will be in the Atrium 12-2 on Tuesday by way of follow up to the information session held last week. More information about EVS and the possibility of Trinity Acting as your sending organisation is at http://www.tcd.ie/Community/. Joining Léargas in the Atrium on Tuesday will be Comhlámh’s Volunteering Options programme who can answer any of your questions about good practice in international volunteering. Comhlámh are also delivering a seminar at 3pm in 5 College Green on the same day. Email volunteer@tcd.ie to book your place.
The Civic Engagement Officer will deliver the National Youth Council's Child Protection Awareness Programme over two evenings (6- 7.45pm Wednesday 21st and 22nd). This is open to student volunteers who work with children and would like a refresher as well as those considering or planning to volunteer with children either at home abroad over the coming months. Listening Skills for Volunteers (6 – 7.30pm on Tuesday March 27th) is a session being run by the Student 2 Student programme and is open to all (potential) student volunteers who require good listening skills in their roll. This includes class reps, visitation and outreach volunteers, tutors, advocates as well as befrienders and Mentors. Email volunteer@tcd.ie to book your place for either training.
To celebrate Postgraduate week, we’re teaming up with Habitat 4 Humanity to have a postgraduate volunteering event. If you’re a postgraduate student or supervisor who would like to meet people from across the college, have an excuse to step away from the desk, do something different and do something for a good cause, this one’s for you! Help with painting, clearing, gardening and more in the renovation of a home for a low income family in Inchicore. Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with Dublin City Council, local government authorities, other non- profits and communities to build and renovate houses in Dublin to allow low income families the opportunity to buy their own home. Currently Habitat is partnering with Dublin City Council to renovate four derelict homes in Inchicore, Dublin 8. Not only will low income families have the opportunity to become first-time homeowners but the community will be regenerated as the derelict properties are often the scene of anti-social behaviour. We will meet at Front Arch at 1.30 pm and take the bus out together. Tea, coffee, soft drinks, water and small snacks will be provided. For more information on Habitat4Humanity, see http://www.habitatireland.ie/. Email volunteer@tcd.ie to join in!
Trinity student organisation Voice for the Voiceless is running a three part campaign next week entitled: "Broad party based policy formation for the eradication of homelessness", in order to develop a new working plan on homelessness and raise awareness of the underlying issues surrounding this complex societal problem. Part 1 is on Monday and will involve a briefing for College’s political party societies about the underlying issues, legislation and previous government policy. Part 2 is a public debate in the GMB at 6.30 on Tuesday chaired by Peter McVerry. Then on Thursday evening at 7.30pm in Regent House, a final Consolidation Session will take place, and each of the political parties will outline their newly formulated Working Plan on Homelessness for discussion. There will also be a toiletries and back-pack drive (things that people don't usually think to donate but that are in high demand) in the Arts Block and D'Olier Street from the 14th - 16th March. Email homelessness.voice@gmail.com to find out more and/or get involved.
Junior/Senior Fresh students are needed to get involved with a programme run in association with the Jobcare Centre on Pearse Street, which seeks to provide the longterm unemployed with the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to find meaningful employment. So far the programme has involved mainly final year students and to ensure that this excellent programme to continue, involvement students in other years are especially important. Volunteers run classes and tutorial sessions at the centre on Pearse st. each week, calling on their abilities in the areas of literacy, business, computing, employment preparation and CV writing. Don’t worry though, full training is provided. There’s also loads of opportunities to avail of career networks an build your own skills set in relation to impact assessment. This is a Voice for the Voiceless-Trinity SIFE partnership. Anyone interested or wanting more information should email tcdsife@ireland.com.
Volunteers are needed to help build awareness of the student run helpline Niteling on campus. Volunteers will be handing out goodie bags on campus for a few hours so this is a great opportunity for those of you who aren’t in a position to commit much time at the moment. Volunteers will chat to students about the service provided by Niteline while dishing out freebies and info packs. T-shirts, packs etc. and a timetable of shifts will be provided. Contact publicity@niteline.org if interested.
If you would like to get to know other students in college, get involved with a really great society and provide the benefit of your student experience then S2S peer mentor volunteer programme is for you! The role of a peer mentor is to help first year students to settle in and get the most out of college life from the get go! There a lots of benefits to being a peer mentor from a career perspective and also to get a greater college experience. Full training is provided. All you have to do is fill out application form on http://student2student.tcd.ie . Or if you would like to know more please contact S2S by emailing student2student@tcd.ie.
Only 1 in 4 older people know how to use the internet and the Getting Started programme helps bridge the digital divide, to beat exclusion and isolation and to increase independence and equality. There are those who are complete novices and will need the basics from identifying the different parts of the computer and how to turn it on/off, and those who can email, but may want to learn more. 13 more volunteers are needed to allow two weeks of classes in Abbey street starting next week to go ahead. Email Jennifer at jglansford@ageaction.ie if you would have time to give on either Tuesday or Thursday afternoons over the next two weeks.
AgeAction are also running an Afternoon Tea Party in May to celebrate their 20th Birthday and need help ringing around to groups (e.g. nursing homes) that might like to come along. If you are interested in this or in helping out at the event itself on May 8th, contact Rhona at roconnor@ageaction.ie.
Larkin College off O’Connell St is trying to support it’s first year students (aged 12ish) who are struggling at home to do their homework through a new Homework Club after school. Students will be helped with their homework as opposed to sitting in silence doing their homework and studying. The students themselves choose to come and have agreed with their parents / guardians that they would like to attend. In the pilot phase, the club will run in Larkin from 3.30pm to 4.45pm on Mondays Tuesdays and Thursdays until the 29th March. It will then be reviewed. It is envisaged that there will be up to 10 students in the club to begin with. If you agree with this concept and have some time to give that corresponds to the slots above, email maireohiggins@gmail.com (teacher in the school). If you would like a little more info first, email volunteer@tcd.ie.
To mark UN world water day (22nd of March), and to show solidarity with people in the developing world that don’t have access to safe water, Progressio Ireland are inviting you to take part in our water challenge. Can you live on 10 L of water for a day as opposed to the 150 L we currently use per person, per day, here in Ireland. To participate all you have to do is actively and dramatically reduce your usage and document your efforts with a short video blog or link a written piece to our facebook page. The first 50 participants will be placed in a raffle and every participant will be given a chance to publish their article or video blog on our website. For more information. See http://www.progressio.ie/water or email Christina@progressio.ie.
Ozanam House in Mountjoy Square, Dublin 1 run a series of Summer Projects for some 150 children and young people involved in action packed, activity based programmes. The summer projects are run for younger children (2-8yrs) in July and August, 6-12 year olds in July and there is a smaller project for teenagers in late June/early July. They great fun, very energising and also very rewarding as we engage vulnerable children from the inner city who otherwise would not have any activities or holidays during the summer. The children do arts and crafts, sports, film making, cookery, weekly excursions, photography, fashion design, swimming and much more. Volunteers are needed to make sure this happens. Contact Linda at 01-8742804 or ozanamadmin@iol.ie or see www.ozanamhouse.ie to get involved.
Outreach Moldova (ORM) was founded by Trinity alumnus Dr Suzanne O’Connell in 2000. ORM runs volunteer programme in Moldova between May and October working with children that have been orphaned or abandoned, children with special needs and children with terminal illnesses in Moldova. The mimumum commitment is 10 days Full details of the programmes can be found at http://www.outreachmoldova.org/volunteers.
Scarce resources, environmental destruction and social inequalities are key challenges in today's society. Rothar reuses and recycles scrap bicycles, reducing waste, providing a sustainable mode of transport and community-based education to promote social inclusion. If you know your bikes, we would welcome you to join the volunteer to team run the shop, help with the Fix Your Own Bike sessions, dismantle non-repairable bikes, sort, save and stock salvaged parts, represent Rothar during events as well as a lot more besides! This is an opportunity to enhance your bicycle knowledge, share experiences and a cup of tea! If you are interested in volunteering, see www.rothar.ie for further information or email info@rothar.ie.
EIL Intercultural Learning have fully funded volunteering awards for people aged 18+ in Mexico and Argentina. If you are a young person or student who is interested in what is going on in the world, could be an Ambassador for Ireland, are free to travel in summer 2012 and think that you would benefit from a challenging adventure in another culture then one of these awards could be for you. In Mexico you'd spend 6 weeks assisting a village co-op with a range of activities aimed at stopping the killing and selling of turtles and their eggs. In Argentina the award involves assisting a local project that helps young children living in poverty as part of a new project so a dynamic volunteer with lots of initiative and new ideas is required. Further awards are available for access and mature students. See http://www.eilireland.org/travel-awards for details.
HeadsUp is a national youth suicide prevention project targeting 15-24 years olds using a mental health promotion approach. HeadsUp provides a range of different initiatives including a text service, website, ASIST and SafeTalk courses and more. HeadsUp are looking for people to become HeadsUp advisors. This involves being part of the team that steers the project in terms of content, direction and focus. HeadsUp advisors also have a role in writing articles, reviews and features for the HeadsUp website and in promoting the HeadsUp project. The approximate time commitment for this role is four hours a month, all of which can be completed online. For more information email info@headsup.ie.
Shine are looking for good listeners (See no. 2 above!) who are interested in volunteering in the area of mental ill-health. You don’t need to have previous experience or qualifications, but you do need to be interested in other people and be open-minded. The helpline is based in Shine’s offices at 38 Blessington Street, Dublin 7. Volunteers are asked to do one 2 or 3 hour shift per fortnight and to give a commitment of at least a year. The helpline is open 9am-4pm Mon-Fri and full training is provided. Please contact Claire Hawkes at 8601620 or chawkes@shineonline.ie for further details.
For older people, a missed meal can be as big a risk to health as missing medication. Plate Pal volunteers with Care Local provide one-on-one encouragement at mealtimes to older people in long-term care. Oftentimes residents are under-nourished due to simple and avoidable reasons caused by dementia or other degenerative diseases. Learn valuable communication skills and gain experience by giving just one hour a week to an older resident. Opportunities are available in Chapelizod, Glasnevin and Ranelagh. Full training provided. Volunteers must be over 18, undergo garda vetting and offere references. Contact: Bebhinn Hare at info@carelocal.ie or pop into Care Local, 29/30 Dame Street, Dublin 2.
Dublin Lesbian Line are looking for female helpline volunteers who self-identify as lesbian, bi-sexual, gay or queer and can spare at least two evenings a month. Full training will be provided - no previous experience of helpline work is necessary. Interviews will take place throughout March – you only need to be able to attend for 20 minutes, and it's just an informal get together to discuss the role of the volunteer and to make sure you know what to expect. Training will take place over four full days (at weekends) and two evening sessions in April. All helpline volunteers will be working for Dublin Lesbian Line (www.dublinlesbianline.ie) and the LGBT Helplines (www.lgbt.ie). Because our helpline volunteers remain anonymous, we are also recruiting Supporters to act as the face of the organisation. You may have seen them marching at Pride, giving out packs at Dyke Night or arranging one of our fundraisers. If you have any experience with booking venues, planning events, pulling in a crowd or would like to learn any of these skills then we would love to hear from you. Contact DLL at admin@dublinlesbianline.ie for more information or to get involved.
An Síol CDP are looking for tutors to tutor in maths up to Leaving Cert Honors level in a friendly and supportive environment. The tuition sessions take place on Monday and Tuesday evenings 6-8pm and we require at least one hour commitment. Tuition takes place in a secondary school in the Stoneybatter area which is easily accessible by walking and/or Luas from College. If you are interested in volunteering please contact Bobbi Costello on 0879523989 or email bobbi@ansiol.ie.
February Opportunities Bulletin
1. European Voluntary Service Info Session: Wed 29th 1pm
2. Lunchtime Skills Seminar: Toolkit for Leadership: Wed 7th March 1pm
3. Job coaching with students with intellectual disabilities
4. College Green Week begins Feb 20th and needs volunteers
5. International Women’s Week Volunteer Call: March 5th – 9th
6. Mini Volunteer Fair next Thursday 16th
7. Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland needs Activity Volunteers for Young People’s Summer Training
8. Befriend a young person with Asperger Syndrome
9. Haven Build It Week in Haiti: May 2012
10. Foróige Youth Club Volunteers in Dublin 3 and Dublin 9
11. Food Waste and Healthy Food for All Campaign
12. Animal care in the National Education Centre for Blind Children Drumcondra
13. Support the social side of low threshold homeless and disadvantage service Depaul Ireland
14. Spring Clean for the Canal: March 3rd
15. Barnardos 'Helping Hands' Young Volunteers Awards
If you are between 18 and 30 years old, have the enthusiasm and dynamism and between 2 and 12 months (typically at least 6 months) to dedicate to a local project in another European country- the European Voluntary Service (EVS) might be for you! Through EVS, volunteers are given the opportunity for personal development along with practical experience supported by the National Agency (Léargas in Ireland) before, during and after the their time abroad. EVS funding covers 100% of travel costs, an allowance for pre-departure trainings and preparations and an allowance for the host organisation to cover living expenses of the volunteer (e.g. food, accommodation, local transport). For projects starting between July and November, funding applications must be made by April 1st. This info session will take place in the Careers Seminar room in College Green and will explain how the process of finding a project and getting funding works. To book, email volunteer@tcd.ie.
This 90 minute Lunchtime seminar will be facilitated by Teach First and will focus on commitment to leadership in tackling disadvantage . The seminar will look at helping to ensure your stakeholders achieve potential, access quality support and development opportunities, and broaden participant perceptions and aspirations around what can be achieved. This workshop will also cover leadership theory and its application in real world scenarios. Hence, the session will be partly focussed on individual recognition of leadership qualities and how you can personally evidence these to potential employers.Teach First runs a graduate programme focussed on addressing educational disadvantage by transforming exceptional graduates into effective, inspirational teachers and leaders in all fields. Materials from their Leadership Development Programme will be adapted for participants in the seminar. To book, email volunteer@tcd.ie. Venue TBC.
The National Institute for Intellectual Disability is currently looking for volunteers to act as job coaches for a student with an intellectual disability as they complete their ten week work placements. Beginning in February, the volunteer will shadow the student once a week and facilitate their engagement in the job. While good communication skills, patience and enthusiasm are important, previous experience working in the area of disability is not required. If you’re interested in this opportunity, or would like more information, don’t hesitate to contact Niamh at lallyn@tcd.ie.
The Trinity College Recycling and Environment Committee (CREC) is currently looking for volunteers to help organise the celebrations for the 10th TCD Green Week (20 - 24th Feb). Assistance is also needed to support the committee with a Green Flag application to be formally submitted during the week. Contact David Hackett (Secretary of CREC) on hackettd@tcd.ie to get involved.
Would you like to get involved in International Women’s Week 2012? There will be an exciting range of student and staff activities happening during the week and plenty of opportunities to help out, including communications and on-site event support. If you are interested in volunteering contact the Equality Officer at equality@tcd.ie.
Dublin City South Volunteer Centre is hosting a mini Volunteer Fair where you can speak directly to as many as 20 organisations about volunteering opportunities, including charities who work in the areas of youth/children, social work, helplines, animal welfare, older people/active retired and health/disability. The fair will take place on Thursday 16th February from 6 to 8pm in the Irish Aid Centre, 31 O'Connell Street, Dublin 1. This is a free event and all are welcome. If you’re thinking of going let the Volunteer Centre now in advance through http://tinyurl.com/7vkre9w.
Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland is seeking enthusiastic and caring individuals to volunteer on SHINE 2012 a residential Summer Independence Training Programme for teenagers and young adults with Spina Bifida and/or Hydrocephalus from all around the country. SHINE gives participants the opportunity to develop their independence, confidence and social skills in a safe, encouraging and fun environment. A variety of roles are available in Education, Health, Sports, Arts, Social Care & more. Experience is not required as full training is provided. Sense of fun a must. SHINE 2012 will take place in Dublin in July and August over 5 separate weeks. All accommodation, food and activities provided by SBHI. Care and Activity Volunteers must commit to one week. For more information, email shine@sbhi.ie or visit http://www.sbhi.ie/get-involved.html#volunteering. Closing date for receipt of applications is Wednesday 29th February at 5pm.
The Asperger Syndrome Association of Ireland (Aspire) are initiating a pilot friendship programme “Cara Connect” for young people with Asperger Syndrome. We are currently searching for volunteers in order to pilot this programme. Volunteers will be asked to meet with the young person at least once a month to engage in a mutually enjoyable activity or event, and make contact with them by phone or email at least once a week. This programme would be ideal for anybody who is interested in gaining experience working with young people with a diagnosis on the autism spectrum. Full training will be provided. To find out more, contact Aileen development@aspireireland.ie.
Haven is looking for 45 volunteers of all ages and from all walks of life to travel to Haiti on May 4th 2012, for a one week period. All volunteers will be required to raise €4,500. Most of this money goes towards the cost of building materials and the remaining amount covers flights, accommodation, food, insurance and transport. Security is also included. Volunteers are required to cover their own vaccination costs in addition to this. All volunteers will work alongside a local Haitian workforce employed on the project. To find out more, contact Cathy on cathy.brooks@havenpartnership.com or visit www.havenpartnership.org.
Foróige, the National Youth Development Organisation, need a few more pairs of hands to help run their clubs for young people aged 12 and over. The clubs run weekly on Fridays from 7.30-9pm. The clubs help young people to develop their skills and talents, and allow the members to get actively involved in their local communities. The clubs are run by adult volunteers, and supported by a professional youth worker. If you are aged 18 or over, have an hour to spare once a week and are interested to work with young people and give something back to the community, this is for you! It’s a great opportunity to meet new people, have a positive effect on young people, learn new skills and have a bit of fun along the way. Volunteers will be fully supported and trained by Foróige. Training is available for all volunteers. If you would like to get some further information, please contact Bryan Gavin on 086 8519639 or email bryan.gavin@foroige.ie . Everyone has something to offer, so give it a go.
As part of the new Trinity SIFE group, volunteers are needed to work on an awareness campaign to raise awareness of these issues nationally with the aim of encouraging more supermarkets to get involved in the Crosscare Foodbank. Students and supporters with the interest and skills to enhance the development of a campaign brand, campaign research, the launch a social media campaign, online petition and ad campaign etc. should contact Indiana at indianav@tcd.ie.
ChildVision- The National Education Centre for Blind Children in Drumcondra- are currently seeking volunteers to assist us in the operation of their equine and pet therapy programmes. On campus, they have horses, dogs, chickens, pigs, rabbits, ducks and birds. Volunteers are needed to help with various aspects of animal care, such as, providing food and water, replacing bedding, cleaning equipment, grooming, mucking out stables and cages, and daily exercising. For more information contact Terry on terryfbissett@childvision.ie.
Depaul Ireland provides accommodation and key services to people who many others struggle to work with- street drinkers, women in prison, families who others have given up on, those with behavioural, self-harm and addiction problems. By providing a listening ear, a chat over a cuppa or a game of pool or cards, part-time volunteers often help our service users feel valued, feel at home and also help them to develop a sense of self worth and confidence. The commitment for part-time volunteering can be anything from 1 to 4 days a week over a 12 month period- working anything 3 to 30 hours per week, depending on availability. During this time the volunteer works as a voluntary member of the Depaul Ireland team at a particular project. The next closing date is 1st March 2012 and inductions will begin on 5th March 2012. You can find out more at http://www.depaulireland.org/volunteering/ or by emailing volunteer.coordinator@depaulireland.org.
Join the Friends of the Grand Canal Community group (Inland Water Association of Ireland affiliate) on March 3rd from 10 to 12 to help pick litter from around the canals. You don’t need to bring anything, just be sure to wear warm and waterproof clothing. Litter pickers, bags and gloves will all be provided. Hot coffee and biscuits will be provided just before the group finishes up. Be at Leeson St. Bridge at 10am. Further information from Breffnie O Kelly- breffnie@gmail.com.
The Do you know a young person whose volunteer work has helped paint a brighter future in your community? Or are you a young person who has had a very positive and rewarding volunteer experience? If so, you are invited to submit a nomination for the Helping Hands Young Volunteer Award, 2012. The aim of the Award is to promote the spirit of volunteering by encouraging and supporting young people’s involvement in volunteer activities. The lucky winner will be presented with a Barnardos Helping Hands Award for their contribution to their community. The winning entry will also receive a personal computer, kindly donated by our Awards sponsor, Softech. Deadline for nominations is 29th February. Email volunteers@barnardos.ie for a nomination/application form.January Opportunities Bulletin
1. RAG Week: 23rd - 27th January
2.
Clothes Sort and Sandwich Making at Local Homelessness Service: Tues 24th / Wed 25th pm
3. Environmental Project with Local School: Tues 24th am
4. Support unemployed people with the job hunt: Info session Thurs 19th 1pm
5. Semester-long social Entrepreneurship: Info session Mon 23rd 5pm
6. Ethical Volunteering Abroad- points to consider: Lunchtime seminar Tues 31st
7. Serve the City Outreach Day: Sat 21st
8. Small Changes: Big Difference- Student Grant Competition Deadline Feb 6th
9. Volunteer with Children in Hospital Ireland
10. Volunteers needed for disability services in Romania 2012
11. Fighting Words Volunteers needed for Creative Writing Centre
12. Summer Volunteer Projects in South Africa with Going Brown
13. The Volunteer Projects- discipline focussed opportunities
14. Low cost volunteering abroad with VSI
15. Join the Computer Club House
16. Interactive Global Awareness course
To receive a monthly Volunteer Opportunities Update by e-mail (term time only), e-mail the Civic Engagement Officer with 'subscribe to update' as the subject
Week 2 is Raise And Give (RAG) week- an annual awareness and fundraising drive to benefit the following College causes: Vincent de Paul, the Voluntary Tuition Programme, Student 2 Student, Trinity Suas, Trinity Amnesty, Trinity Free Legal Advice Centre, Cancer Soc, and the Student Hardship Fund. Fundraisers are being recruited to don t-shirts saying "I am <blank> for RAG Week 2012" explaining what they're doing to help gather funds from friends, family, class mates etc. You’ll be seeing people silenced, fasting, going offline an more over the course of the week and you are welcome to join in. More information on this is on the www.trinityents.com webpage. It’s not just about raising money though, it’s also about giving time and so the next couple of items in this month’s listing are outreach activities for which we are recruiting students, staff and alumni during RAG week. Don’t forget that the beneficiaries of RAG week mentioned above also have ongoing opportunities to get involved and would be delighted if you joined a volunteering activity in 2012. The activity timetable is available at www.tcd.ie/Community/ so you can take a look at what fits with your timetable.
The Lighthouse on Pearse Street opens a couple of nights a week to provide some food and basic supplies for those people experiencing homelessness. It is volunteer run and so a team of Trinity students helping in the preparatory work makes a big difference. You are needed from 2-4pm on either Tuesday 24th or Wednesday 25th, depending on your availability to give a helping hand. If you are prepared to get involved in more client facing work, this is also possible. Email homelessness.voice@gmail.com to get involved. No commitment here- give it a try for 2012. Handy way to meet new people and we reckon you’ll be glad you did it. Meet at the campanile at 1.45!
This project with the College Environmental Society will work with the children of two local schools to improve their immediate environment through co-operation, smart waste management and gardening, and to explore responsible attitudes towards sustainable living & volunteerism. Come along from 9-11am on Tuesday the 24th to see what it's all about and get involved. Email somersdj@tcd.ie for more details. Again, no commitment here, come along on Tuesday and if you find it’s for you can join the group regularly, come February, it’ll be planting season too so this is an opportunity to develop your green fingers.
Since 1994 Jobcare has been committed to working with long-term unemployed people, helping them gain the confidence, skills and knowledge necessary to seek, find and keep meaningful employment. You can help this worthy organisation by supporting with CV proof reading and IT skills once a week at a time that suits your schedule. There will be an information meeting on campus this Thursday 19th at 1pm where you can learn more and decide if this is right for you. Venue TBC- email volunteer@tcd.ie for details.
We are putting together a new team of students from all years and disciplines who have existing projects, ideas or an interest in empowering people with a need through business or entrepreneurial approaches. The group will participate in the Irish pilot of the international Students in Free Enterprise programme with faculty guidance from the School of Business. The first meeting to mind map project ideas and elect committee members will be held in Áras an Phiarsiagh room 0.09 at 5pm on Monday 23rd. Come along on the day or email giblinma@tcd.ie to sign up. No time like the present to start bulking up your CV, building skills and making a positive impact- See www.sife.org for further information.
Volunteering abroad can be fraught with complications. Everything from the period of time you are volunteering, your personal motivations, costs involved and what organisation you work with need to be considered carefully. As part of its Volunteering Options Programme, Comhlámh is offering a lunchtime briefing on the 31st giving you the opportunity to hear more about the issues that need to be considered before making a decision about volunteering abroad. It also provides an opportunity to ask any questions you might have about your options. Comhlámh is an association of returned development workers whose mission is to challenge society on the root causes of global poverty and inequality and empower people to demand equity in global relations. To book your place, email volunteer@tcd.ie Book early as space is limited.
Serve the City is a unique organisation where you can join a team once a month to undertake different projects across Dublin that need hands on deck. You can join in regularly or just once and it is always appreciated! The next opportunity to serve is coming up on the 21st of January. This week there are six different projects looking for your time and talent. Sign up to the serve email on http://www.servethecity.ie/contact to get more information.
Each year alumni give back to Trinity as they value the role the College has played in their lives. This year €20,000 of alumni monies will be awarded to deserving student projects that are making a difference to Trinity, Ireland and the world. Prizes awarded will range from €1,000-€5,000. A committee of staff, students and alumni will shortlist ten entries. The shortlist will then be open to voting by the Trinity community and shortlisted entries will be invited to make a 5 minute presentation to the committee before final allocation. To be in with your chance to win, complete the online entry form outlining your proposal, its impact and how you would spend the prize money at http://www.tcd.ie/alumni/groups/college/grantcompetition.php.
Those interested in joining the Children in Hospital Ireland volunteer team are invited to attend an Introductory Meeting on Saturday morning 4th of February at 10.30am at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin. The meeting will last approximately 1 hour. Play Volunteers give two hours, once a week, either morning or afternoon Monday to Friday, depending on the hospital. Volunteers organise play activities for sick children in the playroom, the Outpatients Dept. or A&E. Volunteers are also needed for the JustAsk Service that offers information and assistance to children, parents and visitors arriving in hospital for the first time. Volunteers will receive training before working in the hospitals which consist of three to four sessions of two hours. Our next recruitment for Dublin will be in January 2012. We are finished our Spring training programme. If you would like to attend email adminasst@childreninhospital.ie or phone 1890 252 682. Volunteer and Garda Vetting Application Forms will be available at the meeting. Please note that you should be able to commit to this opportunity for a minimum of one year (summer not included).
The Comber Foundation is an Irish charity established in 1990 to help alleviate appalling conditions in Romania’s orphanages at the time. Comber now supports adults with intellectual and physical disabilities to leave institutional care and move into new homes in the community. Comber are seeking final years from the disciplines of occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, social studies* and intellectual disability nursing* (*experience working with adults with intellectual disabilities essential) to become part of our team in summer 2012. We have two 5 week volunteer programmes running between June and September. Closing date for applications 27th January 2012. Be aware that volunteers are asked to raise at least €2,000 euro in order to take part. This includes the costs of insurance, accommodation, return flight and a contribution to Comber’s ongoing work. For more details and an application form see www.comber.ie/volunteer or email triona@comber.ie.
Opened in January 2009, the Centre offers free story-writing workshops for primary school students in the mornings, creative writing tutoring for secondary students in the afternoons, and workshops for adults in the evenings and at weekends. The workshops at Fighting Words are designed, and students are mentored by, teams of our volunteer tutors. Volunteers are needed to help run these 2 hour workshops based at Behan Square, Russell Street, Dublin 1. For more information email info@fightingwords.ie. This is a great way to introduce children to the joy of writing and literature in an interactive and fun environment plus you can volunteer at a time that suits you whether it’s weekly, fortnightly or simply every now and again.
The new Irish NGO Going Brown is recruiting for a summer volunteer project in South Africa. Core activities are either building or teaching English but also evolve side projects around the interests and capacities of individual volunteers. Going Brown collaborates with the local Tshulu Trust to offer this three week project to build a pre-school classroom and run a winter school (it is winter in South Africa in June) in HaMakuya, a rural chieftancy in the north-eastern Venda region of South Africa, close to Zimbabwe, Mozambique and the Kruger National Park. Volunteers are required to raise €2500 as part of the programme. Further information is available at www.tshulutrust.org . Applications are due by Friday 3rd February.
The Volunteer Projects (TVP) support development initiatives and organise volunteer work Placements in Tanzania, East Africa and Cambodia, Southeast Asia and aim to ensure that projects are beneficial to all involved including the host Project, local community and the volunteer. TVP has various volunteering opportunities available over a wide range of disciplines including; social care, teaching, musical outreach, sport coaching, environmental conservation and gender inequality. If you’re interested in getting involved more information can be found at www.thevolunteerprojects.com.
Voluntary Service International (VSI) is the Irish branch of Service Civil International, a worldwide peace movement that began in 1920. We work to promote peace, social justice, sustainable development and intercultural understanding through volunteering abroad and in Ireland. With VSI, volunteers are expected to cover their travel costs to/from the project and pay a programme fee to VSI ranging from €50 for an Irish project to €90 for a European project to €140 for a project in a developing country. Volunteers then receive free food and accommodation while on the project. The accommodation can range from rooms in a youth hostel to camping sites. Basic conditions can be expected in developing countries. Volunteers will take turns at cooking for the volunteer group. An important part of every project is how the volunteer group organises its social activities. After the day's work there will be plenty of time to see and join in local cultural activities. Most weekends are free and trips are organised to local places of historical or scenic interest. Currently on the VSI database are an environmental project in Co. Meath, mountain trail work in the Dolomites in Austria, helping with the olive harvest in Palestine, planting trees with community groups in India and working in a rain forest in Ecuador. See www.vsi.ie for more.
The Computer Clubhouse provides a creative and safe after-school learning environment for young people from under-served communities in the south west inner city area of Dublin. Unlike a standard computer classroom, the Computer Clubhouse is a vibrant environment, with elements of an artist's studio, inventor’s workshop, TV newsroom, architects’ office, robotics lab, and music studio. If you are willing to share your experiences and knowledge with less experienced individuals in order to help them advance their careers, enhance their education, and ultimately give them a chance to learn something new, then this is the opportunity for you. The process for becoming a volunteer involves an informal interview, an information/induction session. This opportunity is based in Dublin 8 near St. James’ Hospital. Email awalsh@swicn.ie for an application form.
The World’s Your Oyster is an engaging and interactive global awareness course examining issues such as: Climate Change - Social Exclusion - Global Conflict - HIV Aids and Volunteering with facilitators include from: Trócaire, Concern, Ruhama, Comhlámh and other major development organisations. If you have an interest in politics, social justice issues, international development or climate change, then the ‘World’s your Oyster’ course may be for you. It is not a lecture series, but an interactive global awareness programme where you have the opportunity to engage with experts in the field, learn more about the issues that affect our world and help bring about change. The course runs for 10 consecutive Thursdays from February 23rd to May 3rd at the Irish Aid Volunteering and Information Centre on O’Connell Street and costs €50. The course is being coordinated by Volunteer Missionary Movement International. Email Eugene@vmminternational.org for details.