Category Archives: VOLUNTEERS

Ozanam House Volunteers
News and information for Volunteers.

Aug 1 2019

Recruiting Childcare Centre Volunteers

Ozanam House is recruiting volunteers for its Childcare Centre.

Volunteers required to support the Homework Club, and for general Workshops.

If you are interested in this role, please contact us now!

Phone: 01-8742804
Email: [email protected]

Our Organisation

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 in Dublin’s north inner city.

The centre now offers over 600 programme places to more than 500 people per week where our youngest member is 2 and our eldest is 96. We also engage 75 active volunteers who share their time and skills each week for the benefit of others.

Tasks

  • Attend the Child Protection Training session.
  • Attend team planning meetings each term.
  • Help prepare for the groups.
  • Take part in activities and spend time with the children and young people.
  • Be a role model for the children and young people and help them with their activities.
  • Supervise the group together with other volunteers.
  • Attend outings and trips to provide support to co-ordinator, if requested and if available.
  • Attend and contribute to debriefings after the classes with other volunteers.
  • Work as part of a volunteer team within a really supportive environment where everybody helps each other, giving and taking ongoing feedback and support between all volunteers.
  • Attend team meetings every term to assist the co-ordinator with planning, organising, developing and running the programme.
  • Support the implementation of restorative practice as a procedure for conflict resolution in the group.
  • To attend meetings and training days if/when applicable.
  • To follow the policies and procedures of Ozanam House which can be found in the induction pack or in the office.
  • Other general responsibilities in the context of the role as agreed with the co-ordinator.

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.
  • Good level of energy and good commitment to having fun.
  • 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.
  • An openness to learning and developing further good practices when working and supporting young people.
  • Previous experience is desirable but not essential.

Training & Induction

  • The volunteer will receive an induction/information night in the centre prior to his/her first inset and will get a general information pack to become familiar with the centre and our procedures.
  • The volunteer will have an initial meeting with the co-ordinator to receive a role-specific induction and to agree a timetable and schedule of duties in line with the volunteer role description.
  • At this meeting the volunteer will have a support volunteer appointed to them. This person will have been working with the group for some time and will provide initial guidance, advice and support to the new volunteer.
  • Child Protection Training will be provided within the first few weeks. This training is compulsory and will inform the volunteer of the protection and welfare of children under the Children’s Act 1997 and best practices when working with children and young people.
  • Team meetings take place each term,  as well as individual training programmes that will be provided if/where necessary.

Support & Supervision

The co-ordinator will be responsible for the supervision of the volunteer. Volunteers will meet with their co-ordinator either in one-to-one meetings, or in larger group meetings to discuss ongoing progress and any issues arising.
General volunteer meetings, for all volunteers, will take place twice a year, in May and November.

Benefits

  • General happiness and satisfaction.
  • Personal and professional development in terms of confidence, patience, adaptability.
  • Learn new skills (e.g 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 their sense of self-worth and belief.
  • To make a difference in young people’s lives.
  • 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.

If you are interested in this role, please contact us now!

Phone: 01-8742804
Email: [email protected]

Jun 28 2019

Summer Project Training

As our Youth Summer Projects are about to begin, we are doing lots of training before our volunteers can start. This is just a small sample of the work that goes on behind the scenes in preparation for the Summer Projects that our highly committed volunteers are involved in.  Our programme coordinators, Nino and Eireánn also put in a lot of planning and resources to make the projects run efficiently.

Jun 26 2019

Fundraising Committee Member

Our organisation & programmes

Ozanam House is a community resource centre run by the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, one of the largest charitable and voluntary organisations in the world. 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 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 over 600 programme places to more than 500 people per week where our youngest member is 2 and our eldest is 96. We also engage 75 active volunteers who share their time and skills each week for the benefit of others.

Overview of the Volunteer Role
Things are busier now than ever in the centre especially with over 500 people using the centre each week. The demands on the service keep growing. Unfortunately, our challenge more than ever is to try and keep the funds in place to maintain the service and this challenge is growing each year especially in this difficult funding environment. The contact and association with companies and individuals from the private sector therefore really does make a huge difference to the lives of those we support.

To reach our full potential and to achieve our goals in the centre we are constantly seeking financial support from the public and private sector. Over the past few years, we have been successful in acquiring sponsorship from companies such as The McGrath Group, McCann Fitzgerald Solicitors and Diageo, however, we are now in a position where we need to take this link with the private sector to a new level. We aim to research and target further companies with an interest in community investment and to complete relevant application forms where appropriate. We are therefore seeking individuals with the necessary skills, interest, contacts and drive to further develop our fundraising ambition in the centre.

There will be numerous roles on this committee for individuals with different skills.

Committee Tasks

  • To promote a culture of fundraising throughout the volunteers, staff and service users extending the input our members have in the fundraising efforts in the centre
  • To identify companies with Corporate Social Responsibility, Community Social Programmes and Staff Charity funds and source the right contacts within these companies
  • To develop from this activity a list of companies to target in 2015 and beyond
  • To contact and follow up with these companies organising meetings/presentations/ donors luncheons in the centre
  • To develop these relationships and present Ozanam House as a potential partner in the CSR programmes and other fundraising programmes and events within these companies
  • To support fundraising events during the year, offering involvement to the companies we link with while promoting the centre and those involved in it
  • To develop, update and deliver powerpoint and other digital presentations
  • To develop and update documentation for specific targets
  • To review the packaging of Ozanam House and how we are presented to the private sector
  • To develop flyers and other pieces of information
  • To establish a forum within corporate sponsors/partners and present this package to them
  • Other general responsibilities in the context of the role as agreed in the fundraising committee meetings

 

Time commitment

The volunteers are expected to commit to 1-2 hours of work per week to fulfil their tasks. This time can be spent in the centre or at home and the timing is flexible.

An exception is the committee meetings. The volunteers need to attend the committee meetings which will take place in the centre every 6 weeks. These meetings are scheduled according to the member’s availability.

The volunteers should commit to a minimum period of 12 months.

 

Skills, Experience & Qualities Required and Utilised by Fundraising Committee

  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Written word and presentation skills
  • Good organizational skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Creative design skills
  • Digital media skills
  • Good networking abilities
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team
  • Good powers of persuasion
  • Creative thinking
  • Effective problem solving
  • Positive and energetic attitude and a strong desire to meet goals and commitments
  • Strong empathy with the vision and ethos of Ozanam House

 

Induction & Follow-Ups

  • The fundraising committee member will have an initial meeting with the manager of Ozanam House, Tony Rock, to assess the suitability for the role and where applicable to agree on a timetable and schedule of duties in line with the volunteer role description
  • The volunteer will attend an induction/information night in the centre prior to his/her first engagement and will get a general information pack to become familiar with the centre and our procedures
  • It is planned that a team of 6-8 volunteers, committed to the fundraising committee, would meet once every 6 weeks to organise, develop and implement the action plan for the centre
  • Ongoing support can be expected whenever necessary
  • General volunteer meetings, for all volunteers of the house, will take place twice a year, in May and Novembers volunteers of the Fundraising Committee can attend if they want

 

Benefits

  • Personal development
  • Learn new skills in networking and fundraising
  • Support our community resource centre in helping planned programmes and projects happen
  • Opportunity to make a great difference – one that is positive and rewarding – to your life and your community
  • Opportunity to work in and learn about a community resource centre
  • Opportunity to build up valuable work experience
  • To have lots of fun and an enjoyable time in a progressive and energetic team

 

Contact Kim

[email protected]

01 874 2804

 

Jun 26 2019

Events Committee Member

Our organisation & programmes

Ozanam House is a community resource centre run by the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, one of the largest charitable and voluntary organisations in the world. 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 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 over 600 programme places to more than 500 people per week where our youngest member is 2 and our eldest is 96. We also engage 75 active volunteers who share their time and skills each week for the benefit of others.

Overview of the Volunteer Role
Things are busier now than ever in the centre especially with over 500 people using the centre each week. The demands on the service keep growing. Unfortunately, our challenge more than ever is to try and keep the funds in place to maintain the service and this challenge is growing each year especially in this difficult funding environment.

To reach our full potential and to achieve our goals in the centre we hold two fundraising events each year in March and October. Our biggest success so far has been ‘Ozanam Come Dancing’ held in March each year. This year we managed to raise €69,000 for our youth summer projects.
We succeeded in bringing a number of companies from the private sector on board this year and the funds raised show the benefits of this association. A huge amount of work goes into this event as well as other events we run during the year like bag packing, world cup forecast competition and car raffles to name a few.
To achieve this we require the support of our events team who work together to bring these events to life. Hence we are constantly seeking new volunteers for our Events Committee. There will be numerous roles on this committee for individuals with different skills.

Committee Tasks

  • To find and plan the venue
  • To plan, direct, support and control the events
  • To plan, develop and implement advertising for the events
  • To utilise networks to engage more representatives from the private sector in our events
  • To seek the support of companies and sponsors
  • To support event organisers and direct them in their work
  • To oversee the event on the night taking on various roles as agreed at a committee meeting
  • Other general responsibilities in the context of the role as agreed in the event committee meetings

 

Time commitment

The time commitment is flexible where more hours are required in the weeks and months leading up to the organised events. During this time of planning and preparation for the events, the volunteer is expected to commit to 2 hours of work per week to fulfil their tasks. This time can be spent in the centre or at home and the timing is flexible.
In lead up to the events, there will be regular meetings every two weeks.

The volunteer should commit to at least one event from the planning phase until the event night which will be approximately a period of four months.

 

Skills, Experience & Qualities Required and Utilised by Events Committee

  • Flexibility
  • Excellent organizational skills
  • Very good communication and interpersonal skills
  • Good time management skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Graphic design skills
  • Digital media skills
  • Social media skills
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team
  • Creative thinking
  • Effective problem solving
  • Positive and energetic attitude and a strong desire to meet goals and commitments

 

Induction & Follow-Ups

  • The events committee member will have an initial meeting with the manager of Ozanam House, Tony Rock, to assess suitability for the role and where applicable and to agree on a timetable and schedule of duties in line with the volunteer role description
  • The volunteer will attend an induction/information night in the centre prior to his/her first engagement and will get a general information pack to become familiar with the centre and our procedures
  • In lead up to the events, there will be regular meetings every two weeks
  • Ongoing support can be expected whenever necessary
  • General volunteer meetings, for all volunteers of the house, will take place twice a year in May and November, volunteers of the Events Committee can attend if they want

 

Benefits

  • Personal development
  • Learn new skills in organising events
  • To see behind the scenes of an event, get closer to the action and play a role in making an event possible
  • Volunteers are able to attend the event taking on various roles where applicable
  • Opportunity to make a great difference – one that is positive and rewarding – to your life and your community
  • Opportunity to work in and learn about a community resource centre
  • Opportunity to build up valuable work experience
  • To have lots of fun and an enjoyable time in a progressive and energetic team

 

 

If you are interested in finding out more please contact us by phone or email –details below.

Jun 24 2019

Adult Education – Cookery Training Programme

Cookery Training Volunteers – Adult Education

About the Cookery Training Programme:
The courses we run in our cookery training room aim to provide people with simple and basic skills required to provide healthy meals for themselves and their families. They are based on the understanding that healthy eating does not have to be difficult or expensive.
Each class also includes some nutritional information with the aim of educating people about the foods we eat and the effect these foods can have on our general well-being.
These courses also involve a more practical approach on how to cook healthy food on a budget.

We are offering two types of courses:
Cooking for the family – Wednesday 7pm – 9pm &; Thursday 10:30am – 12:30pm
This is a more beginner’s orientated class to teach people basic cookery skills.

Come Dine with me – Thursday 7pm – 9pm
This class is a more developed class for people who can cook but would like to learn new dishes. It should help to enhance cooking skills in an informal and social cooking atmosphere.

The aim of this centre is to limit the use of fast food as the main elements in the diets of the community, offering them a healthier option in this regard while at the same time teaching them some useful culinary skills that will benefit them and their families throughout their lives.

Overview of the Volunteer Role:
To reach our full potential and to achieve our goals in the classes, we are constantly seeking new volunteers to share their cookery skills and to teach these classes in an informal setting. Our classes are focused on the needs of the individuals who take them. Each class has a team of 2 teachers who work together sharing tasks and lead teaching each week.

 

Tasks:

  • To use the recipe information already in place and/or to think of recipes with your teaching partner or together with the group and to share this with the group one week in advance.
  • To source and purchase the ingredients needed to undertake the classes, these will be funded by the centre.
  • To prepare the classes in advance.
  • Demonstrate the methodology of cooking each selected dish.
  • Participate in cooking and come to the aid of the participants.
  • Inform participants about healthy cooking, nutrition, cooking on a budget and shopping skills.
  • Introduce new members to the group and ensure all members are included and engaged in the activity.
  • To attend team meetings and training days if/when possible.
  • To follow the policies and procedures of Ozanam House (which can be found in the induction pack or in the office) as well as the Cookery Centre Health & Safety Policies in place.
  • Other general responsibilities in the context of the role as agreed with the co-ordinator.

 

Time commitment:
Classes in the cookery centre run on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00pm, Thursday morning from 10:30am to 12:30pm and evening from 7:00 to 9:00pm.
The volunteer should commit to at least one of the classes mentioned above plus extra time for the preparation of the classes (the exact times and days of working will be agreed between the volunteer and the programme co-ordinator).
The volunteer should commit to a minimum period of nine months. This covers 3 terms with each term lasting 10 weeks. This offers consistency to a class level and offers the volunteer the opportunity to develop that class well over time.

 

Jun 22 2019

Monday or Wednesday Volunteer – Active Retirement Group

Monday / Wednesday Volunteer – Active Retirement Group

About the Active Retirement Group:
This group is open to people over the age of 55. The group aims to provide members with a social environment and outlet where they engage in activities to develop skills which help improve their physical health while keeping alive their mental capacity, as well as their social and emotive well being.

Overview of the Volunteer Role:
We organize activities like physical fitness programmes, board games, cross words, table quizzes, darts, bowls, bingo, and specific courses which vary over time – for example, Irish and How to Use your Mobile Phone. In addition, guest speakers on topics of relevance to the group are scheduled on a monthly basis. Outings are also organised on a monthly basis in consultation with the group.
A Summer programme takes place in the month of July. But perhaps the most important function of the group is the social aspect as many of our members live alone. To reach our full potential and to achieve our goals in the group, we seek new volunteers from time to time to support the ARG coordinator deliver a quality and professional programme to the members.

 

Tasks for Friday Volunteers:

  • Welcome members and ensure they have a seat and a tea/coffee.
  • Provide a listening ear to members, particularly those who are vulnerable for various reasons and in need of company.
  • Assist the co-ordinator with the organisation and delivery of activities.
  • Take responsibility for the group from time to time when the co-ordinator needs to be away from the room.
  • Provide cover for the co-ordinator from time to time due to unavoidable absences.
  • Attend outings and trips to provide support to co-ordinator, if requested and if available.
  • To attend meetings and training days if/when possible.
  • To follow the policies and procedures of Ozanam House which can be found in the induction pack or in the office.
  • Other general responsibilities in the context of the role as agreed with the co-ordinator.

Time Commitment:
Volunteers are expected to attend for one day a week – either a Monday or Wednesday – from 10.30am to 12.30pm.
It is also our expectation that volunteers will commit to working with the Active Retirement Group for a minimum of one year.

Jun 22 2019

Friday Volunteer – Active Retirement Group

Friday Volunteer – Active Retirement Group

About the Active Retirement Group:
This group is open to people over the age of 55. The group aims to provide members with a social environment and outlet where they engage in activities to develop skills which help improve their physical health while keeping alive their mental capacity, as well as their social and emotive well being.

Overview of the Volunteer Role:
We organize activities like physical fitness programmes, board games, cross words, table quizzes, darts, bowls, bingo, and specific courses which vary over time – for example, Irish and How to Use your Mobile Phone. In addition, guest speakers on topics of relevance to the group are scheduled on a monthly basis. Outings are also organised on a monthly basis in consultation with the group.
A Summer programme takes place in the month of July. But perhaps the most important function of the group is the social aspect as many of our members live alone. To reach our full potential and to achieve our goals in the group, we seek new volunteers from time to time to support the ARG coordinator deliver a quality and professional programme to the members.

Tasks for Friday Volunteers:

  • Undertake shopping for bingo prizes. A weekly budget is available to buy 15 small prizes. This usually involves a trip to the local Aldi and some additional shopping in local stores.
  • Call out bingo numbers; Check bingo cards; Issue prizes
  • Provide cover for the co-ordinator from time to time due to unavoidable absences
  • Attend outings and trips to provide support to co-ordinator, if requested and if available
  • To attend meetings and training days if/when possible
  • To follow the policies and procedures of Ozanam House which can be found in the induction
  • pack or in the office
  • Other general responsibilities in the contest of the role as agreed with the co-ordinator

 

Time Commitment:
Volunteers are expected to undertake shopping between 9.30am and 11am and call out bingo from 11.15am to 12.30pm.
Volunteers for the Friday role have the option of alternating every second Friday with another volunteer.

It is our expectation that volunteers will commit to working with the Active Retirement Group for a minimum of one year.

Jun 22 2019

We Are Looking for Men’s Group Volunteers

Ozanam House is now recruiting volunteers to work with the Men’s Group on Tuesdays and Fridays, 2pm – 5pm.

Overview of the Volunteer Role

We organize activities like computers, exercise, cookery, relaxation and regular outings. But perhaps the most important function of the group is offering its members a social outlet, a place to come and make or meet friends, to develop their confidence and sense of self-respect and self-worth. To reach our full potential and to achieve our goals in the group, we are constantly seeking new volunteers to support the men’s group co-ordinator deliver a qualitative and professional programme to the members.
Tasks

  • Welcome members and ensure they have a seat and a tea/coffee
  • Provide a listening ear to members, particularly those who are vulnerable for various reasons and in need of company.
  • Develop supportive relationships with the men
  • Assist the co-ordinator with the organisation and delivery of activities
  • Take responsibility for the group from time to time when the co-ordinator needs to be away from the room.
  • Provide cover for the co-ordinator from time to time due to unavoidable absences
  • Attend outings and trips to provide support to co-ordinator, if requested and if available
  • To attend meetings and training days if/when possible.
  • To follow the policies and procedures of Ozanam House which can be found in the induction pack or in the office.
  • Other general responsibilities in the context of the role as agreed with the co-ordinator.

Skills, Experience & Qualities Required

  • High motivation and engagement to be a volunteer over a longer period of time
  • Ability to relate well to people and enjoy dealing with them
  • Self-confidence and general ease with other people
  • Assertiveness, teamwork and self-reliance
  • Openness to supervision and working in a team way
  • Intermediate level of English
  • Commitment to the ethos of volunteering and community based initiative
  • Previous experience is desirable but not essential

Training & Induction

  • The volunteer will receive an induction/information night in the centre prior to his/her first inset and will get a general information pack to become familiar with the centre and our procedures
  • The volunteer will have an initial meeting with the co-ordinator to receive a role-specific induction and to agree a timetable and schedule of duties in line with the volunteer role description
  • Ongoing individual training programmes will be provided if necessary

Time commitment

The group takes place each Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 2:00pm to 5:00 pm
Volunteers are expected to attend for at least one afternoon per week (the exact times and dates of working will be agreed between the volunteer and the programme co-ordinator). The volunteer should commit to a minimum period of nine months.

Other volunteers
In addition, we welcome applications from potential volunteers who have specific expertise or skills which they can contribute. The time commitment for these volunteers will vary and be agreed in advance with the co-ordinator.

Benefits

  • Personal development
  • The change to contribute towards the social environment of the men to learn new skills and practice old ones
  • To be part of a progressive team supporting others to improve their lives
  • Opportunity to work in and learn about a community resource centre
  • Opportunity to build up valuable work experience
  • Tea and coffee will be provided for all volunteers.

If you interested in this role, please contact us now!

Phone: 01-8742804
Email: [email protected]