VOLUNTEERING WITH DEPAUL IRELAND DEPAUL IRELAND OFFERS HOMELESS AND DISADVANTAGED PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO FULFIL THEIR POTENTIAL AND MOVE TOWARDS AN INDEPENDENT AND POSITIVE FUTURE. Depaul Ireland believes that it cannot achieve its mission without the active involvement of the wider community and is striving to increase volunteer involvement in its work. In our hostels we try to create a safe, supportive environment for the people living there, no matter how temporarily. We see volunteers as integral in making residents feel at home, feel supported and listened to and in bringing a sense of community to our projects. We would hope that as a volunteer you would be happy to work as a member of our very dedicated teams. In some of our hostels residents have mental health problems or drug and alcohol dependency so before choosing to volunteer we would like you to give careful consideration to whether you are comfortable with this type of voluntary work. We have no doubt that the experience of volunteering will be a very rewarding one. Please consider a minimum commitment of 9 - 12 months as we feel that you will need this time to truly settle in to your project. WHAT CAN WE OFFER YOU? A training programme for volunteers Full induction into each project and ongoing support and supervision Insight into the homeless sector Access to additional training The chance to develop new skills Travel expense re-imbursement An opportunity to work with people from all walks of life
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VOLUNTEER ROLES A volunteer’s role within our projects can vary enormously and is dependent on specific interests and abilities. Below are just some suggested roles (depending on availability per individual project needs). If you feel that you have other skills, interests and abilities that the projects may benefit from, just let us know. Volunteer hours can be daytime or evening any day of the week. *Volunteer Skills and Abilities – We require the following skills from all the volunteers that we recruit: Good Communication Skills Non – Judgemental Judgemental and Caring Approach Flexibility Ability to use own initiative Confidentiality Patience
*These topics will be covered in our induction programme. PROJECT VOLUNTEER Volunteers are required to bring a personal and human aspect to our projects. Volunteers would be required to visit a project once a week during the day or night time to engage with residents, chat over tea, organise quizzes or theme nights, play cards and board games and accompany residents on external trips outside of the hostel. ARTS AND CRAFTS ENTHUSIASTS We are looking for volunteers with an interest in artistic activities to work with residents on creative projects. We are looking for volunteers to engage residents in activities such as art, drawing, mosaics, card making, painting, pottery, jewellery making etc for a couple of hours each week. Volunteers do not need to be an experienced artist but just need to have an interest in creative ways of working. We have membership with the Play Resource Warehouse. Special skills: An interest in the arts & creative ideas MUSICIANS We are looking for Musicians who will bring joy and energy into the lives of our residents by playing any kind of music for and with them. We would like to provide music sessions or workshops in our projects during the day, in the evenings or weekends. In our Stella Maris project we have assorted musical instruments ranging from guitars, drums, percussion instruments and DJ decks. Alternatively you can bring your own & ‘jam’ with us in any project! Special skills required: Experience of playing a musical instrument or singing.
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KEEP FIT CLUB To help provide a range of activities to help encourage social interaction and a healthier lifestyle. This can include organizing walking trips, basic keep fit or dance classes in communal areas and generally getting away from the TV! GARDENER A volunteer with ‘green fingers’ is required to make the garden area of our projects a welcoming and calming environment for our residents to live in. We are looking for someone with a general interest in gardening to bring to life the gardens at Mater Dei & Stella Maris, we are happy to experiment! We have great interest in growing vegetables and herbs. Special Skills: an understanding of basic gardening. HAIRDRESSER/ BARBER / BEAUTICIAN We have noticed that a person’s appearance has a dramatic effect on their self esteem and it is for this reason that we seek hair stylists to style or cut the hair of male and female residents in our projects. We would like to provide this service to our residents in all of our hostels.
Special skills required: Experience of cutting/styling hair or basic manicures etc VOLUNTEER ALTERNATIVE THERAPY PRACTITIONER We are looking for the service of a qualified aromatherapist or masseuse to work in our projects to provide therapy and relaxation to our residents. We have found in the past that this has been a very beneficial service to offer at each project.
Special skills required: Qualified in Aromatherapy, Massage, Reflexology etc HOMELESS FAMILIES PROJECT VOLUNTEER To provide interesting activities for parents and their children. To assist the Child Support Worker with creative and educational play for children. To assist with after school activities for older children, to support young people and encourage advancement of literacy and numeracy skills. (The age range of children will vary dependant on residency). STORYTELLING & LITERACY Storytelling for a range of age groups and abilities. Books can be provided or you can bring your own favourites! Any further expansion on this theme is welcome (singing, counting, puppets, interaction etc). It is hoped that this activity will also encourage parents to read to their children. Some of our residents need help with their reading and English Language skills. LIFE SKILLS For example: basic cookery, cost saving tips and living on a budget, good health, basic DIY, help with literacy or job-seeking skills. This is a very important role as we feel that volunteers are key to helping residents to gain confidence in learning new skills which many people take for granted. You do not need to be an expert just patient, supportive and encouraging!
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FUNDRAISING / SPECIAL EVENTS VOLUNTEER Do you, your work colleagues or group of friends really want to be involved in the community but never seem to have the time to commit on a regular basis? If so, we require volunteers to be part of our ‘once off’ team who we call on to assist us with a one off project. Projects vary widely from painting a room in a hostel, to helping with organising a fundraising event to taking part in a promotional exercise.
DEPAUL IRELAND PROJECTS STELLA MARIS A residential project for homeless people with alcohol dependency. This is a “wet hostel” working within the principle of harm reduction where staff work with residents on accessing more appropriate housing and, where possible, access to detox and rehabilitation facilities. This building has large communal rooms, canteen facilities and private bedrooms. Stella Maris is situated on the corner of Dock Street & Garmoyle Street, Belfast. MATER DEI A residential project for homeless families situated on the Antrim Road, Belfast. It accommodates 13 homeless families (parent/s and children). Each family has a self-contained flat with access to staff support. The communal areas consist of a large room with a small kitchen off it and an outdoor play area. CLOVERHILL This is a large purpose built residential project on the Stewartstown Road in West Belfast (near Dairyfarm). It accommodates 18 homeless families similar to Mater Dei. The communal areas consist of 2 large rooms, indoor & outdoor playrooms and a small kitchen. DRIVE AHEAD A free training programme designed to provide employment and life skills training to young unemployed people. It provides opportunities for development in IT, CV skills, first aid, life skills and driving & forklift license. It is based in the St Vincent Depaul Society offices on the Antrim Road. The training programme changes locations to suit local needs. CASTLEHILL This is a residential project for 22 homeless adults in Dungannon, Co. Tyrone. Each resident has their own self-contained flat and support from a key-worker. CONTACT DETAILS JENNY GROVES, VOLUNTEER CO-ORDINATOR, DEPAUL IRELAND, 38 University Street, Belfast, BT7 1FZ Email: volunteerni@depaulireland.org Tel: (028) 90 202245, Fax: (028) 90 202246. 202246. www.depaulireland.org Page 4 of 4