Category Archives: Roles: Childcare Centre

Volunteering Roles Available in the Childcare Centre.

Oct 10 2019

CHILDCARE CENTRE – KITCHEN VOLUNTEER

Our organisation & the programme

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.

Overview of the Volunteer Role

Tasks

  • To prepare light snacks e.g. sandwiches, Beans, fruit, veg & dips
  • To deliver to each room for snack time
  • To collect dishes from each room, place in dishwasher and clean up the kitchen.

Time commitment

Hours – between 2.45 – 4.30

Days required – 1 or 2 days a week (preferably a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday)

To build up relationships with the children and support their learning volunteers are expected to commit to at least one or two afternoons a 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.

Skills, Experience & Qualities Required

  • Ability to work well in a kitchen
  • Ability to address the varying needs of the children
  • Ability to relate well to children and enjoy dealing with them
  • Fun and Energy when working with children
  • Good organizational skills
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to establish good relationships with children and staff
  • Patience, resilience, tolerance and flexibility
  • Ability to treat children’s concerns with respect, tact and sensitivity, whilst always being aware of the limits that are required by confidentiality and the necessary boundaries
  • Previous experience is desirable but not essential

Training & Induction

  • The volunteer will receive an induction/information night in the centre prior to his/her introduction 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
  • A Child Protection 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.
  • Ongoing individual training programmes will be provided if 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

  • Personal development
  • The change to contribute towards the development of children to enhance the sense of self-worth and belief
  • 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

Contact

Kim Haugh

admin@ozanamhouse.ie

01 8742804

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: admin@ozanamhouse.ie

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: admin@ozanamhouse.ie

Aug 10 2018

Our Remarkable Volunteers’ Amazing Experiences

Kevin (Youth)

How long have you been volunteering?

Two or three years now with the Summer Project and then I continued on into the Youth Groups and I’m doing the Summer Project again.

 

How did you hear about Ozanam House?

My sister told me about it. She did it for a week or two. I was starting college and she told me about Ozanam House, it would be a bit of experience for me because it kind of tied in with what I was studying, which was social work.

 

What was been your favourite moment so far?

I don’t know if I can pick one. There has been so many so far. I suppose getting to know kids and building a relationship with them.

 

Rachael (Youth and Childcare)

How long have you been volunteering?

This is my second week now and I will be doing three weeks of the Childcare project as well.

 

How did you hear about Ozanam House?

Through college. I was doing some of the Homework Clubs with the Saint Vincent de Paul Society through college and they sent out an email about Ozanam House and the Summer Project and I thought it sounded like a great idea.

 

What has been your favourite moment so far?

Probably the first time they played Bingo. They love it. Most of them are about eight. You call out a number, say 66. They all start screaming “oh, I’ve 67” or “I’ve 65” and they just get so into it. You look around and see all these little faces outraged that a certain number has not been called. That has been my favourite moment so far.

 

Alannah (Childcare)

How long have you been volunteering?

I actually volunteered two summers ago for a week. This my first time doing the full three weeks of the childcare project.

 

How did you hear about it?

I heard about it through my college, St. Patrick’s, now DCU. They sent an email, I think it was the Student Union.

 

Have you any favourite memories so far?

Probably St Anne’s Park. We went there yesterday and they really liked that.  They played on the swings and stuff. I think the trip days are they best. They really like that. They get so excited when they see the bus. They know they are going somewhere.

 

Keena (Youth and Childcare)

How long have you been volunteering?

This year is my first year. I did three weeks of the Youth Summer Projects and two weeks of this.

 

Do you find there was much difference?

With the Youth Summer Project is just more hectic. There is a lot going, but it is definitely very fun. This is more calm and you get to spend more time with the kids, which is nice.

 

How did you find out about Ozanam House?

Through college as well. One of the lecturers sent out an email, in St. Pats’s as well.

 

Any favourite memories so far?

I enjoyed all the trips. we went to Skerries and Marlay Park and places like that. They were all fun. It was great to spend time with the kids and experience new places I had never been before.