Category Archives: Roles: Youth Programmes

Volunteering Roles Available in the Youth Programmes.

Oct 5 2021

GRINDS CLUB – VOLUNTEER

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.

One of the programmes referred to above is our Youth Programmes. Within our youth programmes we run a grinds club offering academic support and advice to young people who are preparing for Junior Cert and Leaving Cert exams


Overview of the Volunteer Role


Our Volunteers not only support the children and young people but also each other. This support means volunteers are able to share their learning in the role and to benefit from each other’s experience, sharing knowledge and skills.

To reach our full potential and to achieve our goals in the group, we are constantly seeking new volunteers to support the youth co-ordinator deliver a quality and professional programme to the children and young people ensuring a standard level of safety and fun environment within each group.

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
  • Volunteers with talents, skills and qualifications in specific activities are encouraged to teach classes if comfortable doing so, with the support and guidance of the coordinator
  • 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

Time commitment

The group takes place on the following days:

Leaving Cert Grinds             Thursday                      7:00pm to 8:30pm

Junior Cert Grinds                Tuesday                      7:00pm to 8:30pm

Our expectation is that volunteers commit to one group on one day – 1.5 hours each week. The volunteer should commit to a minimum period of nine months – September to End of May. If the volunteer knows in advance that he or she can only commit to a shorter period of time, the volunteer should let the coordinator know.

Other volunteers
In addition, we welcome applications from potential volunteers who have specific expertise or skills which they can contribute. For example, volunteers in the past have delivered training in specific areas such as arts and crafts, cooking, film making, graffiti art or in sports. The time commitment for these volunteers will vary and be agreed in advance 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.
Furthermore there will be a specific volunteer information session for the youth groups in January and September. Aim of this session is to get together, set an outline for the following period and explain the expectations for the volunteers in detail.

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

Contact Details

Sophie Beradze

Email: admin@ozanamhouse.ie

Phone: (01) 874 2804

Sep 30 2020

Guitar Tutor Needed

We are currently looking for somebody to come in and tutor our guitar classes on Saturdays. All the details, including who to contact, are in the text below.

About Ozanam House Community Resource Centre

Ozanam House is a community project operated by the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, working directly with people in need through an action-oriented programme, attempting to effect positive change through social justice. Our work primarily involves person-to-person contact. Throughout the year we run childcare, youth, adult education and community programmes.

What’s Involved

The Volunteer will teach three classes: Beginners, Improvers 1 and Improvers 2, 45 min each. Violin, guitar, piano and dance classes for children 6 to 11 years old.

Time commitment 10 am to 2 pm.

General knowledge of music subject, to be able to lead and support classes of up to 10 children. Be interested and enthusiastic to work with children and music.

What’s required for this position

This role requires guitar tutoring and planning and organisational skills

  • Arts/ Music/ Drama
  • Guitar, Violin, Keyboard. Dance; Hip-Hop, Tap, Musical Drama.
  • Personable Skills
  • Youth/ Childcare

Level of English required for this role:
Fluent English

Times and commitment required for this role

MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
MorningX
AfternoonX
Evening

Minimum time commitment: 1 year

Hours required: 3hrs Weekly

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

Other Details

Location of volunteering opportunity:
Ozanam House Resource Centre, Mountjoy Sq West, Dublin 1

Screening details for this role:

  • Garda Vetting
  • Informal Interviews
  • References
  • Application Form
  • Identification Check (photo ID etc…)

Volunteers will be provided with the following supports:

  • Support/ advice/ recognition
  • Supervision
  • Initial induction and training
  • Reimbursement of expenses
  • Ongoing training opportunities

Age restrictions:
Over 18

Is this opportunity suitable for groups/teams of volunteers?
No

Benefits you will receive as a volunteer

• 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

Contact Details

Kim Haugh

Email; admin@ozanamhouse.ie

Phone; 01 8742804

Aug 21 2020

The Summer Sessions 2020: Different, but Still Fun

Earlier in the summer, in midst of uncertainty and anxiety, we asked our past and current volunteers to brave the challenges this year has thrown at us and help us provide small Summer Sessions for children and young people in our community. More than ever before, our volunteers’ commitment and care for our centre have blown us away!

It has been so fantastic to see familiar faces coming back in the centre and slowly and surely filling the building up with warmth and laughter again. With volunteers’ help and support, we were able to make the best of a very challenging summer and provide the children and young people with a place to get away and have fun. They have needed this break even more so this summer. 


We may not have gone to our usual summer destinations but this didn’t stop us packing in as much fun as we could; we made our own ice cream, turned Mountjoy Square Park into our own water fighting zone, went kayaking in the Liffey, made friends with tons of puppies in the park, everyone got their own bowls for cooking and what a delight it has been for the younger children, learned some Ukulele, learned all the TicTok dances, some were better than others at this! Community scavenger hunters made friends with our local Garda, wrote heartfelt poetry, did some cool graffiti art and so much more!  


For all us, this year has been underlined by the personal and social challenges of all sorts. However, this year has also shown us the strength of our community spirit and the continued trust and passion of our volunteers and community alike. While the months ahead may continue to be filled with challenges we know that no matter what we can rely on each other to support our communities. 

Jun 17 2020

Our Youth Groups Have Been Keeping Fit and Preparing for a Concert

This week, the young people and volunteers in our senior youth services were taking part in our Plank Challenge to see who would be able to do the longest plank. We had a lot of young people take part and do an amazing job at this! Doing a plank is a lot more difficult than it looks! Our winners for this did 5 and 3-minute planks each! 

This Saturday is our last day for Violin music classes. They have been practising different pieces to celebrate their last day with a small group concert. 

May 25 2020

A Fun Week For Our Youth Groups Ahead

This week, we are starting a little project with our younger youth groups to stay connected. Postcards have been connecting people across the world since the late 19th century and once again they are a fab little way to say hello to our loved ones. We are going to be sending two cards from us; one with a little message from our leaders and a blank one the children can design and write on and pop it back in the post box. Any cards returned to us will be going up on our Grenville Street windows to see next time the children pass our side entrance! Very excited to get some cool art and messages from the children! ??


The weekly quizzes and general hang out with the older teenagers have been as fun and enjoyable as they usually are in the centre. It’s amazing to see the young people’s resilience and perseverance in such difficult times. This week, we are going to be starting a photo competition called ‘Moments of Joy’. It’s so important to take a moment in our days to notice all the beautiful and joyful things in small moments from getting an ice cream for a friend or taking a beautiful sunset in. Everyone is welcome to join the competition and send us beautiful photos. 

Our Violin classes are flying along with their fantastic online lessons. They started learning new blues pieces and created a virtual Blues Café, where they share their music. However, they have also started imagining and working on some decorations, menus and layouts for an actual Blues Café, for when we go back to Ozanam House. We hope to invite our parents and friends to come along for some jam sessions in the Café! Below are two pieces from our beginner’s class! 


This Saturday we are going to be celebrating the bank holiday weekend by dressing up for the classes and doing a mini home music festival! Hope everyone dusts their flower crowns down in time! ???

Yes I canDownload
AndanteDownload
May 6 2020

Our Youth Groups Activities For This Week

We have been working with the young people and volunteers through our online platforms on Instagram and Zoom. This varies day by day from giving them up to date current information on what is happening while promoting their continued adherence to physical distancing. In the last few weeks, we have done quizzes, arts and baking projects with the young people. We have also been building our online relationships with the youth group members and adjusting to the new way of communicating through social media. Checking in on them every few days and having a catch-up. Currently, we are doing Friday hangout sessions with young people and volunteers from our senior services once a week. 


For the younger children, we have been sending activity packs and activity project ideas to the parents to do with children. Our violin classes have adapted greatly to working through Zoom and have learned new skills they would have not otherwise. Parents are becoming involved in helping children tune their violins and go through their notes, providing learning and bonding for both. 


For the next two weeks, we will be continuing the work we have been doing so far. Sending another batch of activity packs to younger children, our violin classes are looking at ways of possibly doing an online Zoom concert or possibly putting a video together of everyone playing their pieces, this is something that will take a bit of work from all parties. One of our volunteers is going to be doing an art project for Instagram as well as inviting our Instagram followers to do a photography project with us, something that could easily be done while out for a walk.  Hopefully, our Zoom hangout will grow and we will be looking at different online games and projects we could do during the call. 

Apr 23 2020

Summer Project Assistant

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 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. Coordinator Assistant

  • 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
  • Working as part of the summer project team with volunteers, students and managers, Assisting the Coordinator with identified tasks and roles throughout the 4-week project in July 
  • Working directly with the children and young people supporting them in all aspects of their daily activities and routines while aiming to build a bond with the young people and the volunteers
  • Utilising and sharing your skills to ensure that the time you offer the programme is quality time
  • Acting as a role model to the children and young people, supporting them in all areas of their learning and development
  • To learn about youth work and good youth work practices with the help and support of the team through development meetings with the team
  • Using policies and procedures in working with the children
  • Taking part in daily briefing sessions and end of day debriefs with volunteers  Continuous on-going supervision as agreed with the coordinator

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 

  • Volunteers 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 debriefing 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; admin@ozanamhouse.ie

Phone; 087 1836978

Apr 23 2020

Summer Project Administrator

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; admin@ozanamhouse.ie

Phone; 087 1836978

Apr 23 2020

Summer Project Volunteer

                   

                                 

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; admin@ozanamhouse.ie

Phone; 0871836978