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Volunteering in Ireland
Anyone can volunteer! It doesn’t matter whether you are young or old, male or female, able bodied or disabled, in paid work or not, there is something you can do. Volunteering can be a rewarding experience. In Ireland volunteering means;
“the commitment of time and energy, for the benefit of society, local communities, individuals outside the immediate family, the environment or other causes. Voluntary activities are undertaken of a person’s own free will, without payment, except for the reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses.”
Some of the positive benefits of volunteering may include:
• Work experience, that may be added to your CV
• Exploring a career path
• Developing and learning new skills
• Making a difference/positive contribution
• Training
• The opportunity to do something you love
• Meeting new people
• Learning about Irish culture
Volunteering will not give you:
• Payment for work done
• Guaranteed references
• Promise of paid work or benefits in kind
• Guaranteed access to services
• Guaranteed crèche facilities
• Basic English lessons
• Formal education
Before volunteering some of the things to consider include:
• Why I want to volunteer, What do I hope to get out of the volunteering experience?
• What I’d like to do? What I would not like to do?
e.g. work with people/ projects/offices/ social work/animals/ arts etc.,
• What experience/skills can I bring to an organisation?
• Skills I’d like/need to learn? Experiences I’d like to have?
• What time do I have available? (Think in terms of day, evenings, hours or project work).
• Where would I like to volunteer? (Consider travel time and means)
Volunteering Ireland can assist you with this exercise.
If you’re interested in volunteering you can approach Volunteering Ireland or your local Volunteer Center. Many organisations recruit volunteers through volunteer centres as well as other means such as putting ads in public places etc.
What to expect from the organisation:
When approaching an organization to do voluntary work you may be;
• asked to complete an application form
• asked to supply two referees
• invited in for an informal interview
• asked to get Garda clearance (this may be required if you are working with children and/or vulnerable adults)
• provided with training
Please note that not all organisations operate in the same way, some may be very structured in their procedures, whist other may be quite informal.
Ideally, a perfect volunteering match is when the volunteer’s needs and the organisation’s needs are both met through involvement with each other.
Alternatives
If you are not in a position to volunteer at the moment and you need to develop your language or general skills some options to consider may be;
Language classes
The ILAC library and other local libraries offer services to improve language skills such as conversation exchanges, these are free services and have proven very popular in the libraries, and in addition to practising their new language skills with native speakers from the specific country through conversation, participants also learn much about the culture.
The Open Learning Centre, Central Library, Ilac Centre, has a wide range of courses available on a bookable basis. A signed certificate of course completion is offered to any user completing a minimum of 50 hours of study on computer or language self-learning courses offered by the City Library Service. This is also a free service.
For more information contact Central Library ILAC, Henry Street, Dublin 1
Phone (+353 1) 873 4333
Other options include evening classes, local social clubs, church/Local Societies and local sports clubs and other support organisations.
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