Civic Engagement Officer, Careers Advisory Service
The Civic Engagement Officer in Trinity College Dublin is a dedicated staff member for the support, facilitation and promotion of community and voluntary activity among students and staff. She coordinates several outreach days throughout the year when members of the Trinity community have a chance to undertake practical work (e.g. painting, gardening and clean ups) with local community organisations who need some extra hands on a once off basis.
She also works with 100 voluntary organisations, locally, nationally and internationally to communicate their opportunities to potential volunteers in Trinity and liaises with specific academic departments where appropriate. Appropriate opportunities are listed on the website and distributed via email on a monthly basis.
The Civic Engagement Officer can also support you directly if you are interested in pursuing any level of Gaisce- the President’s Award or if you would like to participate in the European Voluntary Service. You can also meet with the Civic Engagement Officer to talk through your volunteering options. Feel free to contact Róisín by email or at extn. 2054 with any queries.
Trinity Volunteering Opportunities Forum
Trinity Volunteering Opportunities Forum (TVOF) is a grouping of some of the student societies who promote volunteering in the community. TVOF aims to promote volunteering among Trinity staff and students, to provide a forum for discussion of common volunteering issues and to promote collaboration between Trinity and the wider community.
The five volunteering societies who work with TVOF are Suas, the Voluntary Tuition Programme, Trinity Vincent de Paul, Trinity Free Legal Advice Centre and Student 2 Student peer mentoring programme.
The Suas Volunteer Programme sends almost 90 volunteers to Kenya and India each summer and volunteers also work locally on projects such as Refugee Mentoring and the Bridge 2 College.
The Voluntary Tuition Programme is a partnership between Trinity and the local community whereby 400 or so Trinity Volunteers are matched with local school children to offer homework help and tutoring.
Trinity Vincent de Paul run over twenty activity around Dublin City Centre including a soup run, homework and youth clubs, prison football, the Big Chrimbo Panto, visiting the elderly and more.
Student 2 Student is the peer mentoring scheme in College through which volunteers are trained and then offer support and information to junior freshman students to ease the transition to life at Trinity.
The Trinity Free Legal Advice Centre facilitates the provision of free legal advice to students on issues such as debt management and tenant law.
For more information, see
Dean of Students' Roll of Honour
In 2011, the European Year of Volunteering, Trinity College Dublin will launch the Dean of Students' Roll of Honour. The Roll of Honour will recognise the learning outside the classroom which students gain through extra-curricular voluntary activity.
The criteria for inclusion on the Dean of Students' Roll of Honour are as follows:
- 20 hours or more of voluntary activity (either in college, your local community at home, abroad or in Dublin) between April 1st 2010 and 31st March 2011
- verification of this commitment of hours by the organisation
- completion of a reflective application form through which students articulate their objectives and expectations of the activity and also any learning derived from the activity.
The application form will be made available through the College Civic Engagement website ( in Hilary Term and the deadline for receipt of applications is the 31st of March.
“In Trinity College Dublin, we are extremely proud of the extracurricular activity undertaken by students which ensures a vibrant campus and offers students diverse and multidimensional opportunities for learning, social development and personal growth.”
– Gerry Whyte
Dean of Students
List of Organisations
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Volunteer Resources
1North City Volunteer Centre
2South City Volunteer Centre
3Comhlámh
Opportunities in Ireland
4Age Action
5Camara (also international)
6Camphill Communities
7Caring and Sharing Association
8Christian Aid
9Chrysalis Drug Project
10Crosscare
11Dublin Christian Mission
12Dublin Rape Crisis Centre
13Fighting Words
14Foundations Project (VEC)
15Gorta
16Green Sod Land Trust
17Irish Wheelchair Association
18Latin America Solidarity Centre
19Marriage Equality
20Mountain Meitheal
21Plan Ireland
22Reachout.com
23Serve the City
24Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland Summer Programme
25St. Mary’s Hospital
26St. Michael’s House
27SVP Sunshine Fund
28Trócaire
Opportunities Abroad
29A-Z Children’s Charity
30EIL Intercultural Learning
31European Voluntary Service
32Foundation Nepal
33Friends of Londiani
34Habitat for Humanity
35Suas
36Voluntary Service International
37The Volunteer Projects
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Volunteer Centres
Interested in volunteering but having difficulties finding a suitable volunteering opportunity? Your local volunteer centre can help!
The Dublin City North Volunteer Centre is a part of the family of services of Volunteering Ireland, the National Volunteer Development Agency. Since 1997 the Dublin City North Volunteer Centre has been successfully working at a local level to match the needs of available volunteers to those of volunteer involving organizations, while also working to support organizations in their involvement of volunteers.
Dublin City North Volunteer Centre
Coleraine House, Coleraine Street, Dublin 7
t (+353 1) 872 2622; f (+353 1) 872 2623
Email:
The Dublin City South Volunteer Centreprovides a free, easy to use service to any individual or group looking to volunteer in Dublin 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12. There are currently over 400 volunteer roles on the centre’s website, and the centre will offer support and guidance and follow up with organisations on your behalf. Simply drop into the centre (10 mins walk from Trinity) or click on ‘Find an Opportunity’ on our website to get an idea of what kinds of things you could volunteer to do.
Dublin City South Volunteer Centre
76 Thomas St, Dublin 8
t (01) 473 7482 or 087 752 3693
Email:
Comhlámh
Comhlámh’s Volunteering Options & Development Workers Programme promotes responsible, responsive volunteering for global development. We monitor and support the implementation of the Comhlámh Code of Good Practice among over 30 Irish Volunteer Sending Organisations. In addition, we provide comprehensive information, training and support to volunteers and development workers before their overseas placements and when they return home. The Volunteering Options website takes you through every step to becoming a volunteer and includes a searchable database of over 120 organisation that offer volunteering placements in developing countries. Services upon return include debriefing, counseling, career signposting and access to a broad network of like-minded individuals interested in advocating for a more just world.
Comhlámh, is a dynamic, independent membership organisation working together with development workers, volunteers and activists. We marked our 35th year in 2010 and continue to be committed to advocating for a just and equitable world, setting standards and promoting good practice. Through awareness raising, research, education and training we empower individuals to take effective action to address global inequality. As the Irish Association of Development Workers we protect the interests of people working in development and for human rights. Our work is informed by their experiences
Comhlámh
2nd floor, Ballast House, Aston Quay, Dublin 2
t (01) 478 3490
and
Discussion forum:
Age Action Ireland
Category: Charity working for older people
Location: In the Community, charity shop and office based in Dublin with some regional opportunities.
Dates:Ongoing
Application Deadline:None
Website:
Brief description of organisation:
Age Action is Ireland’s leading charity promoting positive ageing and better policies and services for older people. Working with and for older people we aim to make Ireland the best place in the world in which to grow old.
What do volunteers do?
There is a wide range of volunteering opportunities in the organisation. We are looking for volunteers in the following areas: Administration, fundraising, teaching computers to older people, Small Jobs scheme, information provision and working with resident’s committees in nursing homes.
How much do volunteers need to raise/pay?
Unless they work in fundraising volunteers do not have to raise money. Any money raised by Age Action goes towards the work of the organisation. We can supply an annual report showing how revenue is spent, if necessary.
Does your organisation reimburse volunteers for their out of pocket expenses?
Yes if they request it.
What trainings, support and supervision are provided for volunteers?
Volunteers are trained and supported as required depending on their own experience and that complexity or type of task they undertake.
Please explain the volunteer application process.
Volunteers must fill in an application form giving two referees and agreeing to Garda vetting. They must also say which area of volunteering they are interested in, how many hours they can offer and which days they can be available on. The length of time it takes to screen an applicant varies but we do try to expedite matters as much as possible.
Is this opportunity accessible for persons with disabilities?
This depends on which area of our work the volunteer is interested in; but we will try if at all possible to accommodate people with disabilities.
What volunteer policies are in place?
There is a written volunteer policy.
What are the insurance arrangements for volunteers?
Whilst volunteering, volunteers have insurance cover.
Camara
Category: Computers, Overseas Development, Education
Location: Thomas Street, Dublin 8
Dates:Very flexible: half day to fulltime
Application Deadline:Always open
Website:
Brief description of organisation:
Camara is a Volunteer driven organisation, using technology to improve the educational opportunities of children in Africa, by providing refurbished computers, training and software to schools there. We also have a small operation helping disadvantaged schools in Ireland.
What do volunteers do?
We need volunteers to do a wide range of tasks, but mostly we need people to process computers through our Workshop. If you can turn on a computer, you have enough technical knowledge; the rest we can show you.
How much do volunteers need to raise/pay?
To work as a volunteer in our Dublin base, NO fundraising is required. There may be an opportunity to go overseas in the future to help with training in our partner schools, and some fundraising would be required, but that selection procedure will be explained if required.
Does your organisation reimburse volunteers for their out of pocket expenses?
No
What trainings, support and supervision are provided for volunteers?
The Workshop is run by a Workshop Manager, with a Supervisor in place. The atmosphere is friendly and open and training is provided. Camara have a Volunteer Coordinator who will deal with any questions, as we aim to provide a well supported and constructive experience for the Volunteers
Please explain the application process.
Please see our website for details of the organisation, and fill in the online application form. Alternatively, please email or call (01) 652 2668. We will check references provided before commencement, but the process will take only a day or two.
Is this opportunity accessible for persons with disabilities?
We are based in an old building, and do not have disabled access.
What volunteer policies are in place?
We are a well established NGO, meeting all legal and other requirements to operate as a Registered Charity and Employer.
What are the insurance arrangements for volunteers?
Excellent, same as you find working as a paid employee.
Camphill Communities of Ireland
Category:Life-sharing (Disability)
Location: 18 locations nationwide
Dates:1 year starting generally late summer
Application Deadline: June
Website:
Brief description of organisation:
Camphill has a number of life-sharing communities in Ireland where individuals with a wide range of disabilities and none share their lives together. Most communities are land based with farms and/or gardens but there are some communities that are urban based with coffee shops and more urban based activities.
What do volunteers do?
Volunteers provide support to vulnerable people in a community setting. They take a full part in the life of the household helping with cooking cleaning etc. Volunteers will also help in workshops or on the land and in the garden.
How much do volunteers need to raise/pay?
Nothing
Does your organisation reimburse volunteers for their out of pocket expenses?
All day to day costs are covered and volunteers receive pocket money of approximately €50 per week
What trainings, support and supervision are provided for volunteers?
There is a full induction and introduction training provided to volunteers
Please explain the volunteer application process.
The application process provides a comprehensive screening for volunteers including a police check. This may take up to three months
Is this opportunity accessible for persons with disabilities?YES
What volunteer policies are in place?
Volunteer agreement, health & safety, grievance, child protection, complaints, risk management.
What are the insurance arrangements for volunteers?
All volunteers are covered by the Camphill insurance policy which provides extensive and comprehensive cover.
CASA
Category:Disability
Location: Various Locations
Dates:Minimum 6 months
Application Deadline:Recruitment ongoing
Website:
Brief description of organisation:
CASA is a voluntary organisation supporting people with disabilities through a variety of social activities.
What do volunteers do?
Volunteers work on a one to one with our CASA members in a supported group environment.
How much do volunteers need to raise/pay?
Not relevant.
Does your organisation reimburse volunteers for their out of pocket expenses?
Yes.
What trainings, support and supervision are provided for volunteers?
Induction and ongoing support from CASA group leaders.
Please explain the volunteer application process.
Volunteer application form, reference checks and Garda vetting are undertaken.
Is this opportunity accessible for persons with disabilities?
Yes.
What volunteer policies are in place?
Volunteer agreements, health & safety, grievance, child protection are all practised.
What are the insurance arrangements for volunteers?
We have public liability insurance.
Christian Aid
Category:Aid Agency
Location: Anywhere
Dates:At any time
Application Deadline:None
Website:
Brief description of organisation:
Christian Aid is an overseas relief and development agency, founded by the churches in Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales and works wherever the need is greatest, irrespective of religion or race.
Everything we do overseas is through partner organisations who are deeply involved in their own communities, and understand their own problems first-hand. We work with over 500 partner organizations in over 50 countries across the world.
In Ireland we have a special interest in developing our advocacy and campaigning impact—which is the aim of our participation in University Volunteer Fairs.
What do volunteers do?
Engage with the Campaigns that we promote, lobbying and advocating on behalf of those with whom we work overseas—by post, by email or in person, either as an individual or in a group.
How much do volunteers need to raise/pay?
Volunteers are not required to fundraise or pay.
Does your organisation reimburse volunteers for their out of pocket expenses?
Yes, for certain events, within guidelines and by receipt.
What trainings, support and supervision are provided for volunteers?
Occasional training evenings are held usually based around a single campaigning theme.
Please explain the volunteer application process.
For general campaigners there is no application process.
Is this opportunity accessible for persons with disabilities?
Yes
What volunteer policies are in place?
For campaigners, there are no specific policies in place. (We have several policies in place for recognised Volunteers)
What are the insurance arrangements for volunteers?
We have a comprehensive Public Liability policy.
Chrysalis Community Drug Project
Category: Health
Location:33 Manor Street, Dublin 7.
Dates:1 year with probation period
Application Deadline:contact Passerose Mantoy-Meade/Co-ordinator
Website:
Brief description of organisation:
Chrysalis was set up in 1998, and is funded through the North Inner City Drug Task Force. It is a community drug project with charitable status offering a range of support services to drug users and family members living and working in the Dublin 7 area. It is based on a harm reduction principle. Services range from keyworking, case management, community detox, counselling, family therapy and outreach work. We also offer a range of services to female sex workers e.g. street outreach, harm reduction information, advocacy and all the above services.
What do volunteers do?
Street Outreach work, Addiction/General Counselling, Family Therapy, Reception, Administration, PR/Marketing, Statistics/Database.
How much do volunteers need to raise/pay?
Not applicable
Does your organisation reimburse volunteers for their out of pocket expenses?
If the expenses are prior agreed with co-ordinator.
What trainings, support and supervision are provided for volunteers?
In-house training take place on a regular basis. Peer and one-to-one supervision are also in place. The level of training and supervision depend on the role.
Please explain the volunteer application process.
Application form, references, interview and induction training. Overall process could take up to 6 weeks.
Is this opportunity accessible for persons with disabilities?
No, the building is not wheelchair accessible.
What volunteer policies are in place?
Volunteer Agreement, Health & Safety, Grievance Procedure, Child Protection, Confidentiality policy and other relevant policies.
What are the insurance arrangements for volunteers?
All our volunteers are covered through our insurance policy with the exception of holistic practitioners.
Crosscare
Category:Anti poverty, human rights
Location: Dublin city and suburbs
Dates: Varies depending on volunteer role
Application Deadline:Ongoing
Website:
Brief description of organisation:
Crosscare is the social care arm of the Dublin Archdiocese. It works in 3 main areas:
- Homeless and food services
- Young peoples’ services
- Community services (including work with migrants, carers, people with disabilities, among other categories)
What do volunteers do?