Category Archives: Roles: Youth Programmes

Volunteering Roles Available in the Youth Programmes.

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.

 

 

Aug 1 2018

Saying Goodbye

On the last day of the Youth Summer Projects, we had a parade around Mountjoy Square. It was a great send-off for both the children and volunteers.

The last day of the project is always bittersweet and this time around was no different. We had tears and hugs. Children pleading to come back…. Parents lining up to enquire about the registration day for our youth programmes in September. As short as two weeks might sound, it makes an enormous impact on the children and the holidays we are able to give them. The handmade thank you cards from the children will surely make it to the volunteers memory boxes for a very long time.

 

As I was about to close the side door for one last time for project 1, I noticed that One of the members from Rhythms stayed back with his mum after everyone left, crying his little heart out. When I asked them what was going on they told me that he was crying because he didn’t want to lose all the new friends he had made in this two weeks. It is at times like this that we get to fully appreciate the impact the Summer Project has on the children’s life. In many ways the Summer Project brings the whole community around Ozanam House together for the duration of the summer to make a difference in the children’s life. All this is only possible with the huge contribution and dedication from our volunteers who take time out from their summer holidays and help us make the children’s Summer happen.

 

Apr 20 2018

Calling All Former Volunteers

Dear Friends,

It is that time of the year again…. the buds are back on the trees, the sun is trying its hardest to shine…. and we are hoping that you will be interested and able to come back to Ozanam House and join our Summer Project Team again this year.

 

This year our summer projects, both senior and youth projects are being coordinated by our long time Volunteers, Eireann and Nino and they are hoping that you will be able to once again share your expertise and your energy to assist them in running a successful project in 2018.

 

Having volunteers who have been on the project before makes such a HUGE difference to the success of the summer.

Your knowledge, skills and experience as well as the confidence that you bring has such a positive impact on the projects and is a big support to our coordinators and to those volunteers who will be joining us for the first time.

We would love to have you back!

 

We are trying to have our team confirmed and in place by MID MAY this year so if you are interested in coming back on board this year please let us know asap.

 

I have attached a ‘Returning Volunteer Interest Form’ that you could fill in and send back to us or just drop us a line letting us know when you are available and we will do the rest.

 

In the meantime if you have any questions or queries just let us know

Phone us on: 01-874-2804

Or email: [email protected]

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Apr 13 2018

Join Our Summer Team 2018

 

Dear Friends,

If you have skills you wish to share, if you want to have a unique and fun experience, to develop your skills further, greatly enhancing your CV and also to make a really big difference in the lives of young people in the Inner City then get in touch NOW:

Ozanam House is a community project operated by the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul and located in Mountjoy Square, Dublin 1.

Throughout the year we run childcare, youth, adult education and community programmes.

Each summer we undertake a large number of summer programmes for young people of all ages and we engage as many volunteers as possible in making this happen. Volunteers are asked to give a minimum of one week to the project of their choice. Full Training is provided in advance of the start date.

Summer Projects 2018

During the summer months the centre is taken up with our Summer Projects, with 200 children and young people involved in action packed, activity based programmes.

We run 2 summer projects as follows:

1)   SENIOR Youth Service   –  

       13 to 18 years   –   18th June to 13th July    Monday to Friday  – daytime hours (normally 12pm-5pm).

2)   YOUTH Summer Project   –  

       6 to 12 years   –   2nd   July to 27th  July     Monday to Friday from 10:00am to 4pm.

As you can imagine they are all great fun, very energising and also very rewarding as we engage vulnerable children who otherwise would not have any activities or holidays during the summer. The children and young people engage in action packed programmes which include arts and crafts, sports, film making, cookery, weekly excursions, photography, fashion design, swimming and much more.

See our Photo Library from previous projects below for a sneak preview of what to expect….

OZANAM SUMMER PROJECT

So, if you have skills you wish to share, if you want to have a unique and fun experience, to develop your skills further, greatly enhancing your CV and also to make a really big difference in the lives of young people in the Inner City get in touch BY MAY 18th 2018:

 

Phone              01-8742804

Email                [email protected]

Web:                www.ozanamhouse.ie  

find us on Facebook – ‘SVP Ozanam House’

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Jan 19 2018

Recruiting Summer Project 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.

Overview of the Volunteer Role

One of our biggest and most successful programmes is our summer projects where we engage up to 280 children and young people on an action packed activities programme throughout the months of June, July and August each year.

 

We engage as many volunteer as possible to support our staff in this activity programme, mentoring the children, facilitating activities where skills allow, accompanying the children and young people on weekly trips and acting as role models to the children throughout.

 

Tasks

  • Attend the Induction Training, Child Protection Training session and Summer project Training Days
  • Working directly with the children and young people supporting them in all aspects of their daily activities and routines.
  • Utilising and sharing your skills to ensure that the time you offer the programme is quality time
  • Supporting the staff in their role of providing quality care for the children in our service
  • Acting as a role model to the children, supporting them in all areas of their learning and development.
  • To work as part of the summer project team with volunteers, students and managers.
  • To learn about youth work and good youth work practices with the help and support of the team through daily meetings with the team
  • Using policies and procedures in working with the children. Youth Leaders will get to know all of the centres policies and procedures over the first few months of work with the help and support of staff.

 

Time commitment

We run 3 summer projects as follows:

  • Senior Summer Project
    • to 18 years   – 18th June to 13th July   Monday to Friday from 12:00pm to 5pm.

 

  • Youth Summer Project

6 to 12 years   –   2nd July to 27th July         Monday to Friday from 10:00am to 4pm.

 

  • Childcare Summer Project

4 to 8 years   –   30th July – 17th August     Monday to Friday from 2:30pm to 5pm.

 

Our expectation is that volunteers commit to a minimum One week of a project. This allows for relationships top form and for consistency across the project with Children and young people seeing the same faces every day. These relationships and this consistency is vital to the success of the project.

In addition the Volunteer must make themselves available for training in advance of the project:

  • Induction Training – 2 hours (evening)
  • Child Protection Training – 3 hours (evening)
  • Summer Project Training – 1 day (Saturday)

 

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 facilitated activities in specific arts and crafts, cooking or in sports on a given week. 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 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
  • Previous experience is desirable but not essential

 

Training & Support

  • The volunteer will attend an induction/information night in the centre prior to the project starting and will get a general information pack to become familiar with the centre and our procedures
  • 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.
  • The volunteer will attend specific Summer Project training focusing further on the details of the project itself and the role of the volunteer with lost 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 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

 

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

Phone: 01-8742804
Email: [email protected]

May 2 2016

Volunteers – Ozanam Grinds Club

Volunteers – Ozanam Grinds Club

About the Ozanam Grinds Club:
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 others 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 for Volunteers:

  • 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
Tuesday 7:00pm to 8:30pm

Junior Cert Grinds
Thursday 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. 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.

Skills Experience and 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.