GIVE something … GET something

WHAT WILL YOU FIND

OUT TODAY?

WELCOME!

…what is volunteering?

…what is Volunteer Centre and how can it help you?

…if you can volunteer in Ireland?

…why volunteering is good for you?

…what can you do as volunteer in Ireland?

…where to find interesting opportunities?

…how to apply for them?

…how to start volunteering?

You are in the right place!

?

If you are not sure…

WHERE ARE YOU

FROM?

Volunteers in Dublin in 2013

14,871Volunteers

in Ireland

Ireland

3,19356%

Dublin

5,697

S America

765 13,4%

Unknown

279 5%

Africa

254 4,5%

Australia

15 0,26%

Asia

324 5,7%

of volunteers newly

registered in Dublin were

migrants

44%of volunteers newly

registered in Ireland were

migrants

29%

1,028 18%

Europe

120 2%

N America

VOLUNTEERING IN

IRELAND

Volunteering is giving your time and energy for the benefit of…

What is volunteering?

Volunteering is done…

of your own free will

without paymentexcept for the reimbursement of out of pocket expenses such as lunch or travel

people outside your family society the environment

Who can volunteer in Ireland?

Everyone! People of any: Nationality

Race

Immigration status (international student, refugee, asylum seeker, migrant worker etc.)

Employment status (working/unemployed/ retired etc.)

Religion

Gender

Age

Family status (single parent etc.)

Martial status (single/ married/ divorced etc.)

Sexual orientation

(Dis)ability

…CAN volunteer in Ireland!

HOW CAN WE HELP?

VOLUNTEER

CENTRE

We are your local Volunteer Centre.

We help people like you find meaningful opportunities to volunteer in local charities and not-for-profit organisations.

Who are we?

We work with volunteers and organisations in Dublin City.

What do we do?

VOLUNTEER CENTRE

We match people wishing to volunteer with organisations seeking to involve volunteers. You will volunteer with those organisations, not with us.

VOLUNTEERS

I want to

volunteer

ORGANISATIONS

I need

volunteers

Registration for Volunteering

We can help you register with our service.

Information We can help you understand what volunteering is, how, why, when and where to volunteer.

Access to volunteering opportunitiesWe can show you how to access our online database, search and apply for volunteering.

How can we help you?

WHY

VOLUNTEER?

Volunteer…to GIVE!

Your time for something you care about and enjoy.

Your skills and expertise to help other people or your environment.

Your energy to make a positive difference/contribution in the society.

Something back to your local community.

Inspiration to others with your enthusiasm and commitment.

To GET even more…

An opportunity to do something you love

New friends and professional connections

Self-confidence and sense of fulfilment

Knowledge of Irish and other cultures

New skills and work experience

References from Irish organisations

English language practice

Some fun and positive energy!

WHAT CAN I DO?

What can I do?

Whatever your skills, abilities or interest

– there is something for you!

Here are some examples of areas you can be involved with:

Animals and environment

USEFUL TIPS

BEFORE YOU

START

What to think about before you start?

Your Motivation

WHY

you want to

volunteer; your goal.

?

WHAT

you would like to

do; your interests.

WHO

you want to

support and

volunteerwith.

WHEN

are you available; how much time you have to

volunteer; how long

you stay in Ireland.

WHERE

the role is based – are you willing to travel

to get there? Check on

Google Maps how far the role

is based from your home.

What to think about before you start?

Your English

You need basics

You will need at least basic English to volunteer.

Don’t worry if your English is not perfect -you can still volunteer!

Improve

Once you start volunteering your English will only get better!

Don’t be afraid to talk to the staff and other volunteers.

Attend English classes or conversational groups.

Volunteer!

Our website has volunteering opportunities for people with various levels of English – from basic (i.e. local area clean ups, gardening) to proficient (i.e. teaching, administration; communications).

Ask us for advice and the list of your local English classes.

What to think about before you start?

Your CultureBe aware

Your culture is different from Irish and other volunteers.

Depending on our culture, we all may have different ideas what is appropriate or normal.

Be positive

When you don’t understand something or want to know why someone has behaved in a certain way – simply ask.

Be open and say if you feel uncomfortable doing something.

Ask Irish people and other volunteers about their culture and tell them about yours.

Observe

Cultural differences can be observed in:

- Eye contact, facial expression, gestures and posture, distance between people, touch etc.

- Time perception- Gender roles- Power distance- Relationships

(Individualistic or collective)

Be patient and learn!

What to think about before you start?

Garda VettingWhat is that?

It’s a police check of person’s criminal record.

Currently this process take 8 weeks.

Who needs it?

All people, Irish and non-Irish, who work or volunteer with children, older or vulnerable adults (disabled, homeless etc.)

Who can apply?

People who have lived in Ireland at least 6 months.

How to apply?

The organisation applies for you.

They give you a form to complete, which must be returned to the organisation.

You will not have any direct contact with the police.

8

weeks

The good news!

There are many volunteer roles that DO NOT require Garda Vetting!

Check frequently updated ‘Quick start’ volunteering list on our website

Examples: Festivals & events Practical work Some charity shops Social media Environment &

conservation … and more

WHERE DO I START?

4 steps to start volunteering

STEP 3: Screening

Wait for organisation(s) to contact you.

STEP 2: Apply for volunteering

Go to ‘Find an opportunity’ and look for categories to find an area that interests you. Apply for chosen volunteer role(s).

STEP 1: Register with us

To register visit our website www.volunteerdublincity.ie or call to make an appointment to tell us what you would like to do.

STEP 1: Register

1. Visit our WEBSITE

2. Go to

VOLUNTEERS

section on our

homepage

3. Click REGISTER

TO VOLUNTEER

4. Complete the

registration form

3

Once you register, you can start applying for volunteering immediately.

Our Placement Team will be in contact shortly.

Check your email (including junk mail/SPAM box) for our response.

Go to: www.volunteerdublincity.ie

2

1

STEP 2: Apply

TOWN/COUNTY

always write down DUBLIN.

ACTIVITY: choose from the list what exactly you would like to do (i.e. administration, catering etc.)

SEARCH BY KEYWORDUse it only to search for a specific keyword i.e. name of the organisation or your interest. Otherwise leave it empty as search results will show volunteering from all over Ireland.

CAUSE: Leave it empty orchoose from the list who/what you would like to support. (i.e. older people, arts, animals etc.)

Click FIND AN OPPORTUNITY on our website.

Pick your search criteria.

How to apply for volunteering?

ROLE DESCRIPTIONCheck time commitment, screening details (i.e. Garda Vetting, interview), supports provided (i.e. cover of your expenses , training). Press APPLY at the bottom of the page if you think that’s something for you.

Browse for opportunities and apply

SEARCH RESULTS Show list of opportunities matching your search. Click VIEW to see the role description and to apply.

STEP 3: Screening

How long will it take before I can start?

After applying organisation should contact you within 1 week. If they don’t - let us know or contact them directly. Check your email for response (including spam/ junk mail).

The screening may take various time – from an immediate start (check our ‘Quick start’ volunteering list) to a few months.

STEP 3: Screening

Depending on role organisations may ask you to provide references, fill application form, apply for Garda Vetting, have an informal interview or undergo a training.

Referees should not be your relatives; think of someone who knows you through a more formal relationship (employer, doctor, solicitor, teacher, course tutor, social worker, religious leader, volunteer coordinator, sport coach, student’s union leader etc.).

What is involved?

Everyone is welcome…

STEP 4: Volunteer!

NEED ADVICE?

TALK TO US!

Is GIVE Project for you?

Do you come from outside of the European Union?

Are you planning to stay in Ireland for 1 year or more?

If answer for BOTH questions is YES contact:

Aga, GIVE Project Officer Email: aga@volunteer.ieMobile: 087 7386929

All other volunteers can contact:

Dublin City Volunteer Centre76 Thomas Street, Dublin 8Email: info@volunteerdublin.ieTel: 01 4737482www.volunteerdublincity.ie

Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/volunteerdublincity

THANK YOU!

No-one can do everything…

…but everyone can do

something!’