A safe place where people learn and grow,

   that serves our needs and enriches our lives

   in a supportive, fun and caring environment

                                 Summer Project Administration Position

Ozanam House Resource Centre is a community centre based on Mountjoy Square in the north inner city and operated by the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, one of the largest charitable and voluntary organisations in the world.

The centre offers various educational (adult and youth), community, youth and childcare programs that are aimed at addressing social exclusion as well as the many needs of the local community in Dublin’s north inner city. The centre now offers 600 programme places to 500 people per week where our youngest member is 2 and our eldest is 96. We also engage 80 active volunteers who share their time and skills each week for the benefit of others.

One of our biggest and most successful programmes is our summer projects where we engage up to 200 children and young people on an action-packed activities programme throughout the months of June, July each year.

We engage as many volunteers as possible to facilitate this activity programme, mentoring the children, facilitating activities where skills allow and acting as role models to the children throughout.

Key Roles and Responsibilities are:

1. Project assistant – Administration 

• Assisting the Coordinator with all aspects of planning and preparation for the summer projects in the weeks leading up the start date in July and throughout the 4 weeks of the project in July
• Keeping up to date information on data spreadsheets on Ozanam House computer system
• Making phone calls to parents and service users as directed by the coordinator
• Setting up Notice Boards in each base room and updating regularly
• Signage – Displays around the house – General information around the centre – updating as required
• Notes going home – Trip details / liaising with venues, gathering required information, preparing notes etc, informing parents of upcoming events
• Managing lunch support team as well as stock control of food supplies given to those children who may not have enough
• Trip Liaison and preparation officer – Ensuring all required information is to hand in advance of trips. On trip days each group will have a bag with juice, jugs, plastic cups, biscuits and travel bag (wipes, tissues, newspapers, black bag, bin liners, cheque/money)
• Volunteer Support – checking in with volunteers each day, following up with volunteers – confirming attendance, updating rosters and acting as Information Liaison officer, organising social nights out on Fridays for Volunteers

Skills, Experience & Qualities 

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to establish good relationships with children and young people 
• Strong commitment and enthusiasm to children and young people and an understanding of the factors affecting their lives 
• Interest and commitment to developing the capacity to provide reliable support to children and young people in times of stress and act with integrity, respect and support 
• Good organizational skills & Admin skills for Admin Assistant role 
• Good level of energy and fun as well as an accepting and non-authoritarian approach 
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team 
• Reliability, patience, resilience and flexibility  Ability to treat children and young people’s concerns with respect, tact and sensitivity 
• Ability to be aware of own limits, to admit it and to ask for support  Previous experience is desirable but not essential

Training & Support 

• Volunteer will attend an induction/information night in the centre prior to starting and will get a general information pack to become familiar with the centre and our policies and procedures 
• A Child Protection (safeguarding vulnerable children) Training session will be provided. This training will inform the volunteer of the protection and welfare of children under the Children’s Act 1997 and best practices when working with young people in this environment. 
• The volunteer will attend specific summer project training focusing further on the details of the project itself and the role of the youth leader/mentor with lots of practical tips and guidance on all areas of the summer project 
• Daily and ongoing individual supports will be provided throughout your time on the project

Support & Supervision

Daily de-briefing meetings occur throughout the placement where the volunteer will have an opportunity to review the day and get support and advice from training and qualified staff members in the centre. More formal supervision will be provided weekly if and where necessary.

Benefits  

• Personal and professional development in terms of confidence, patience, adaptability. 
• Learn new skills (decision-making and finding alternatives, leadership skills, communication skills, organizational skills, behavioural competencies …) 
• The chance to contribute towards the development of children and young people to enhance the sense of self-worth and belief 
• Opportunity to use and develop skills and talents  Opportunity to bring ideas on board and develop the centre 
• Opportunity to develop friendships and meaningful relationships with like-minded peers 
• Opportunity to build up valuable work experience  Opportunity to be a part of a dynamic and progressive team

Contact

Kim Haugh

Email; [email protected]

Phone; 087 1836978

                   

                                 

A safe place where people learn and grow,

that serves our needs and enriches our lives

in a supportive, fun and caring environment’

 

OZANAM HOUSE RESOURCE CENTRE

Ozanam House is a community resource centre run by the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. It is located on the site of the original clothing and furniture warehouse in a building that has also been used by the Society for a variety of purposes for over 100 years. Since our opening in September 2002 we have continued to develop various programmes and projects aimed at addressing the issue of social exclusion as well as the many needs of the local community.

SUMMER PROJECT VOLUNTEERS

Commitment:  Flexible with a minimum of five days required during the project

Hours:  Project runs from 10.00am to 3.30pm Monday to Friday throughout the Month of July.

During the month of July Ozanam House is bursting at the seams with the happy voices of 250 children from the North Inner City who attend our highly successful Summer Project.  We are seeking volunteers who enjoy the challenge of working closely with children from the age of 6 to 13 in a fun, safe and structured environment.

The Ozanam House Summer Project is an activity based project with some excursions included each week. These activities include Arts & Crafts, Cookery, Computers, sports and games, swimming, Karaoke, violin and guitar classes, treasure hunts, drama, sign language and singing amongst others. We engage 250 children from the local community. Our children are divided into groups of 20 and each group is lead and supported by up to 5 volunteers each. Our volunteers act as mentors and friends to the children, encouraging and supporting them throughout the project.

Training Provided

Induction Training – Introduction to the centre and all aspects of the project

Child Protection Training. 

Summer Project Training Day – Team building / programme details / behaviour management / planning and Scheduling.

Skills Required:

Sense of fun and enjoyment

Previous experience engaging young people and advantage but not necessary

Good communication skills

Understanding of community development

Support & Supervision

Daily debriefing meeting occur throughout the summer project where volunteers review the day and get support and advice from training and qualified staff members in the centre.

Benefits

• General happiness and satisfaction
• Personal and professional development in terms of confidence, patience, adaptability.
• Learn new skills (decision-making and finding alternatives, leadership skills, communication skills, organizational skills, behavioural competencies …)
• The change to contribute towards the development of children and young people to enhance the sense of self-worth and belief
• Opportunity to use and develop skills and talents
• Opportunity to bring ideas on board and develop the centre
• Opportunity to work in a relaxed atmosphere
• Opportunity to develop friendships and meaningful relationships with like-minded peers
• Opportunity to build up valuable work experience
• Tea and coffee will be provided for all volunteers

Contact

Kim Haugh

Email; [email protected]

Phone; 0871836978