Charity Work / Volunteering Question

D10NY5U5

This may seem a strange question but I’m hoping there is an easy answer.

I have a certain amount of free time now given the age of my kids etc. I still work full time but I am looking to see about volunteer work (one evening a week, half day at the weekend kind of level). I don’t have much money left over from the now older money demanding kids, so if I can contribute time and/or labour to charity I will!

I suppose I have fairly broad skills and experience: currently work in a middle management role, relatively well educated but I am also fairly handy with DIY, IT/computers and even a bit of cooking. So I’d be happy doing anything from fixing things, cooking, food/clothes runs, to project management and admin.

So the part I’m struggling with is where to start looking? Should I just reach out to charities directly? Is there an equivalent to a “jobs site” for them? I know this is a stupid question - but I’m at a bit of a loss where to start. I don’t have a particular preference for a charity. Besides giving a few quid once in a while to a random charity I’ve never done anything else

So any guidance or suggestions would be very welcome. Location wise I am in north Wicklow.

Thanks!

Peregrinus

Well, there's this: https://www.volunteer.ie/volunteers/find-a-volunteer-role/

black & white

Would you think about volunteering with the Samaritans ?

https://www.samaritans.org/ireland/support-us/volunteer/

Mrs OBumble

Why do you want to volunteer? What are you hoping to get from it?

D10NY5U5

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117990589#Comment_117990589

Because I have spare time and there are always people more unfortunate than you. I have been involved in clubs etc with my kids for years. Now that is coming to an end I am looking to keep contributing this way.

Why do you ask?

ohnonotgmail

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117990589#Comment_117990589

do you have to want something from it? is it not enough to just want to help others?

YFlyer

OP write a thesis on what the ratio of paying staff to what is given to the causes.

D10NY5U5

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117994756#Comment_117994756

No idea what you mean by that? Can you elaborate please?

magicbastarder

Yeah, that's a strange one. What if the staff are the ones providing the service?

D10NY5U5

What staff? And what pay? I’m not looking to get paid. I just want to volunteer a few hours per week? Genuinely stumped?!?

YFlyer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117994839#Comment_117994839

How much does the charity receive and how much they pay their staff yearly.

I've volunteered with 50808 since it's inception, nearly 2 years. Providing emotional support for texters across Ireland. Your training is provided and you agree to complete 200 hrs (~4 hrs a week). Really great community and you can do this from home.

D10NY5U5

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117996250#Comment_117996250

Which charity and staff? I’m just looking for volunteering options. Not pay or money collection. Still don’t get your point?

YFlyer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117996264#Comment_117996264

Okay fair enough.

D10NY5U5

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117996266#Comment_117996266

Sounds like you may have an issue with charities which is fair enough. But that’s not what I’m asking or here to debate. I just want to contribute some of my time to help people out. Simple as that. I’ll leave the reform of the sector up to others such as yourself. Thanks.

YFlyer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117996269#Comment_117996269

I said fair enough.

D10NY5U5

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117996272#Comment_117996272

😂….

Zak Flaps

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117996269#Comment_117996269

Yflyer must have issues with certain charities.....and would be right to be a little suspicious.

But not all of them are corrupt.

Most animal shelters for example need full time staff (and volunteers) to run things efficiently.

I was informed that 80% of donations go towards paying staff to run these organisations.

Maybe that's what he/she is píssed off about.

YFlyer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117996274#Comment_117996274

Probably best talk to a director of a charity directly and explain what you can contribute.

Mrs OBumble

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117994663#Comment_117994663

I ask because knowing what you want to achieve is the first part helping you figure out what might be a good fit.

The clubs you have been involved in - would they be willing to have you stay on as a volunteer, even though you no longer have kids involved? Maybe not - or maybe you want to focus on people who are disadvantaged? In that case - pick a disadvantage you'd like to help address, Google local groups that work with that area, and call them to see what they need.

Are there any hobbies of your own, which you could get involved in organising? Eg if you sing in a choir, then offer to join the committee, etc.

magicbastarder

if you go here, to advanced search, you can search by purpose of charity, so you could find all the registered animal charities operating in dublin, for example:

https://www.charitiesregulator.ie/en/information-for-the-public/search-the-register-of-charities

corner of hells

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058212040/charity-work-volunteering-question

If you contact the HR departments of some of the larger charities, they will let you know if they can advise you if they are employing volunteers.

I work in a NGO and have worked for years with volunteers , one NGO I worked for interviews, trains and treats its volunteers like its paid employees.

You will definitely be asked what you can commit to in terms of availability, your skill set and why you want to volunteer.

anewme

Would you consider volunteering with Aware? Phone or email support line.?

Full training is given and commitments are often from as little as 3 hours per week.

it’s very professional and volunteers are very well supported.

Tipperary animal lover

Hi D10, i volunteer with the svp, I'm not religious one bit but wanted to volunteer somewhere and they we're delighted to have another hand to help out, all depends on the area you live in, where i live they have the shop( which is always looking for volunteers what ever hours you can give), the sorting area where people drop there donations in and the food donation area where food is sorted and handed out to people from the area, as you can see there's many different areas to help out in, if your interested call into your local svp shop tal, to the manager and see if its for you, i get great satisfaction out of it.