How do I go about finding charity/voluntary work?

Fionn MacCool

I'm currently receving JSA but would like to do something beneficial with my time. I figure charity work would be a lot more flexible and easier to find than paid work. I'm also under the impression that I would still receive my full JSA payment?

If so, can anyone point me in the right direction for doing charity work in Galway City.

Thanks

líreacán

You might want to double check about receiving your benefits whilst volunteering, because as far as I know, this is not allowed, as technically you are being paid to "job-seek" which you cannot be doing if volunteering.

I may be wrong though, maybe ask your local social welfare office or else try the internet?

fl4pj4ck

Voluntary work is a good way to keep active, learn new skills and get involved in your local community. You may do some unpaid work as a volunteer and keep your social welfare payment. However, you must continue to meet all the conditions attached to your payment.

Your Social Welfare Local Office or the section paying your social welfare payment will usually decide whether you can keep your social welfare payment and work as a volunteer.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/social-welfare/social-welfare-payments/voluntary-work-and-social-welfare-payments

Question

I was made redundant from my job a few months ago and since then I have been looking for jobs but haven’t found anything yet. I’d like to do some unpaid voluntary work to keep my skills up. How would this affect my Jobseeker’s Benefit payment?

Answer

If you want to do voluntary work and continue to get Jobseeker’s Allowance or Jobseeker’s Benefit, you must apply under the voluntary work option before you start the work. The decision is made by a Deciding Officer in your Social Welfare Local Office. In considering an application, the Deciding Officer will look in particular at two things: whether the work is voluntary within the meaning of the scheme and whether you would continue to satisfy the statutory conditions for getting the jobseeker’s payment (which include the requirement that you are available and looking for work).

A number of factors are taken into account when determining whether the work involved is voluntary. These include:

* The aims and standing of the voluntary organisation (they can be national or local voluntary groups)
* The type of work involved
* The weekly number of hours worked

Examples of unpaid voluntary work a jobseeker may do include assisting youth clubs, care groups, church groups, sports groups, cultural organisations and local residents’ associations.

When considering whether you continue to meet the conditions of your jobseeker’s payment the Deciding Officer will need to be satisfied that you are available to take up employment, if offered it, and that you are making genuine efforts to find work. This applies whether the voluntary work is full or part-time.

To apply, fill in an application form (VW1), which is available from your Social Welfare Local Office.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/News/know-your-rights/know-your-rights-2009/november-a-voluntary-work-and-jobseeker2019s-payments

Neuro

Fionn MacCool wrote: »

If so, can anyone point me in the right direction for doing charity work in Galway City.

Go to volunteer.ie, and click on Galway.

John Mason

also try this site

www.activelink.ie

you can volunteer if you are signing but you will need a letter from your volunteer manager stating that you will be available for work and that your volunteering work does not interfere with your job searching

Fionn MacCool

So basically as long as it's made clear that you are prepared and able to give uo the volunteer work as soon as you find a job, it's fine?

fl4pj4ck

as long as you get approval from the officer - I think so

LadyMayBelle

Www.volunteergalway.ie