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