Volunteer Centres Ireland - Types of Voluntary Work

Types of Voluntary Work

• Conservation, the environment and gardening

Conservation volunteers repair footpaths, clear ponds and waterways, plant trees, build dry-stone dykes, create nature trails. The work can be done at weekends.

• Learning disabilities

People with learning disabilities have difficulty understanding new or complex information, learning new skills or coping independently. So the volunteer can help with activities, sports and crafts and social clubs, youth clubs and resource centers. Provide one to one support to families or individuals as befrienders or advocates. Assist at summer playschemes for children with learning disabilities.

• Mental health

Mental health problems come in a variety of forms. Many involve feelings of depression, anxiety and confusion, sometimes to an extent which makes it difficult for the person to cope with everyday life. Only a small number of people experiencing mental health problems are admitted to hospital. Most are treated and supported in their community. So the volunteer can assist at drop- in centers and social groups by helping with activities, chatting to people or providing a listening ear. Also provide one to one support as befrienders or advocates.

• Advice work

Volunteer advice workers offer confidential advice and information to members of the public. Some advice centers give a very wide range of information e.g. Citizens Information Centers. Others are more specialist e.g. working with homeless people or people with a disability. Advice agencies look for a long term commitment from volunteers and training can last up to three months.

• Adult basic education

Many adults and young people want to improve their reading, writing or numeracy. Adult basic education provides tuition in groups with paid and volunteer tutors. Volunteers must attend a training course and be prepared to give a long term commitment, perhaps helping once or twice a week for a minimum of a year. Volunteers can tutor people who have difficulty with basic skills. Teach English as a second language. Help deaf students with language development and students who have a disability. They can also work with people who have speech and language difficulties as a result of a stroke.

• Fundraising

Charities need to have diverse and imaginative ways of raising funds for their work. Volunteers can organise or take part in sponsored events, street collections, fun runs, etc.; help in charity shops; be on a fund raising committee.

• Office work

Many organisations have an ongoing need for volunteers to do office administration such as reception, filing or typing. Others need volunteers to help out at busy times e.g. publicity campaigns or fundraising drives. Volunteers can do reception and administration work, financial or management committee tasks, computing, "one off" pieces of work such as setting up a database, producing publicity material or devising a marketing strategy.

• Older people

Most opportunities to volunteer in this field are with older frail people or people with dementia, and are mainly in the daytime. They include helping at lunch clubs or day centers; perhaps serving teas and lunches or assisting with quizzes, games and reminiscing activities. Delivering Meals on Wheels or library books to housebound people, befriending and home visiting. Also, helping in residential homes and hospitals e.g. reading to patients, playing board games.

• Homeless

With people living in temporary or hostel accommodation or those sleeping rough. Volunteers can help at drop in or night shelters, providing hot drinks and meals and giving support. They can be trained to give information and advice or work alongside paid workers in outreach work on the streets.

• Practical assistance

Some organisation need DIY/ building volunteers to paint and decorate, carry out repairs or put up shelves.

• Befriending

Befriending involves giving support and friendship to someone who may be going through a difficult period, is feeling lonely, or is adjusting to a major change in their life. Befriending schemes can support older people, lone parents, families with children under five, adults with disabilities or health problems. Volunteer befrienders are matched with a client (perhaps because they share an interest or are of a similar age). They meet on a regular basis, perhaps to go shopping, go to the cinema or simply to have a chat over a cup of coffee. Befriending may aim to encourage the client's independence, build their self-confidence or offer social contact beyond their immediate family. Befrienders are carefully selected and trained and receive ongoing support.

• Physical disability

Volunteers can work with groups dealing with specific conditions such as arthritis, cancer, or epilepsy or with more general disability. Volunteers provide one-to-one support as a tutor, befriender or peer counsellor.

• HIV/ AIDS/ DRUGS

With individuals and families affected by HIV AIDS or drug dependency. Volunteers can help out at a drop in or information center, be a befriender in a 'buddy' scheme. Provide practical help such as gardening, driving, baby-sitting, or painting and decorating. Also participate in preventative, educational and awareness raising work.

• Driving

Many disabled or older people are unable to leave their homes due to a lack of suitable transport. Volunteer drivers provide a vital service helping them to get out and about, perhaps to a day centre or social club. Some organisations have their own vehicles whilst others need drivers with their own car. Perhaps the best known volunteer drivers are the 'Meals on Wheels' fleet. The insurance requirements of organizations may differ, but usually a volunteer has to be aged over 23 years and have a clean driving license. Minibus drivers may be required to sit a test. Volunteers using their own car will normally be paid petrol expenses.

• Hospital work

Volunteers can visit and befriend patients, help in hospital shops, provide trolley and library services. They can also escort patients on outings and help with social activities.

• Children and young people.

There are creches and playground for under fives. For 5–12 years old children there are after school clubs, junior youth clubs and holiday playschemes helping with games, arts and crafts, music and sport. For 12 years plus children there are youth clubs and drop-in centers providing varied social, leisure and outdoor activities, as well as issue based work e.g. Health promotion or drugs awareness. Volunteers also can provide one to one support for children who are experiencing difficulties at school or at home. There are also well known youth organisations such as the Scouts and Girl Guides. Volunteers working with children must be prepared to undergo a Garda Síochána check.

• Other areas of volunteering include:
  • support for victims of crime
  • work with ex-offenders
  • telephone helplines
  • bereavement/ relationship counselling
  • mediation services
• Residential

The volunteer may wish to get involved in voluntary work and actually 'live in '.

• Team volunteering

Groups of friends or colleagues can get together for a one-off volunteering project e.g. painting a mural, creating a wildlife garden, decorating premises or organizing an outing for a group of people.