“Give it a go” Volunteering Project
Background
2013 is the “European Year of Citizens” to mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the European Union Citizenship under the Maastricht Treaty in 1993. Active Citizenship has come to be interpreted in many ways in the European Union and the year 2011 was designated the European Year of Active Citizenship through Voluntary Activity, even though better known as the European Year of Volunteering. Voluntary activities are an expression of active citizenship, but they can also be carried on without reference to involvement in public affairs, community and society. The EYCA 2013 states that: “a democratic citizenship that guarantees that all citizens can participate in the life of their communities and the shaping of public policies, including the most disadvantaged groups which are more than often the most remote from the European building process. One cannot exercise her/his civic and political citizenship rights unless in capacity to enjoy the social and economic citizenship rights and the European Union should not miss out the contribution of the most disadvantaged.”
To celebrate this year, the Louth Volunteer Centre is planning to create an opportunity during the National Volunteering Week, where all citizens of Louth can give volunteering a try. This will involve the citizen pairing up with an active volunteer who volunteer in local charitable organisations, and to shadow them during one of their shift covers during the National Volunteering week.
Project Title : “Give it a go” Volunteering Project
Project Aim
Louth Volunteer Centre wishes to build a sustainable legacy in the community for all citizens through volunteering;
- promoting awareness of the contribution of our citizens to Irish society through volunteering;
- highlighting the benefits of volunteering both for citizens health and wellbeing and to help build stronger local communities;
- building solidarity between all citizens through a high profile national volunteering project and media launch;
- promoting the work of charitable organisations and the vital services to the community they provide;
Project Summary :
The citizen(s) will shadow an existing volunteer(s) during one volunteering-shift-cover. This will entail the citizen(s) meeting the existing volunteer(s) at the relevant volunteering location. The citizen(s) will observe and assist, if appropriate, during the volunteering-shift-cover. The citizen(s) will be matched up with the existing volunteer(s) by the Louth Volunteer Centre. All participants in the project will be invited to enter into a competition that involves capturing the experience through a 200 word case study, a 2 minute video or one photograph.
Dates of the Project : 13th – 19th May 2013
“Give it a go” Volunteering Project
A Guide to Citizen(s)
Q. What is Volunteering?
A. Volunteering is any action undertaken of a person’s free will for the benefit of others for which no payment is expected. More than this, it is the building block of community and the essence of society. Voluntary activity is an essential sign of a society in which people care for one another. Without it, we are only a country of individuals.
Q. Who can take part in the “Give it a go” Volunteering Project?
A. Basically anyone can get involved.
Q. What is the “Give it a go” Volunteering Project??
A. The “Give it a go” volunteering project is a follow on project from last year’s successful Intergenerational volunteering project where a younger person shadowed an older volunteer during their volunteering work. The “Give it a go” project will involve any citizens from the local community shadowing an existing volunteer(s) for the duration of one shift volunteering cover. The week is to mark the valuable contribution of existing volunteer(s) to volunteering and to involve an integration of all citizens from the local community with this contribution.
Q. How can I take part?
A. Visit our website www.volunteerlouth.ie Register to volunteer, select National Volunteer Week as an interest
OR
Drop in or contact our offices : Drogheda office, old motor tax office, Bolton Street – 041 980 9008, Dundalk Office. Town Council, Crowe Street – 042 939 2934 | 087 607 1127, Ardee Office, Ardee Library, Main Street – 086 022 6577
Q. What happens once I decide to take part?
A. Week Commencing April 23rd , the Louth Volunteer Centre will visit your school or contact you and discuss the range of volunteering pairing opportunities available. You will be briefed on the organisation facilitating the volunteering role, times and dates available and location of volunteering opportunity. All questions and queries regarding the opportunity will be answered at these briefing sessions. We will agree with you to the most convenient time to undertake the volunteering cover.
Q. What happens once you complete the volunteering activity?
A. We invite all participants to take part in our competition. You can enter the competition under 3 categories which can involve writing a 200 word case study, recording a 2 minute video or taking one photograph capturing your experience of the project. There will be an individual prize for the winner of each category. All entries must be received by Friday 25th May, 2013.
The following is a list of some of the older volunteers that are taking part in the project and will be available for you to pair with.
- Carer role at Older person’s day care centre
- Homelessness Support worker at Homeless Aid Centre
- Charity Shop Assistant at Charity Shop
- Befriending visitation at Mental Health day care centre
- Radio assistant at local community radio station
- Fitness Leader at Senior Citizens Group
- First Aid Leader at humanitarian Group
- Sports Driver at Disabilities Group
- Campaign & Awareness assistant at Lobby Group
- Computer Assistant at Intercultural Community Group
- Marketing Volunteer at Community sports group
- Football coach at youth Group
- Chairperson at Community activist group
Q. What are the benefits of taking part in this project?
A. To obtain experience in a field that you would never have come across in school, for example how an organisation operates on a day to day basis
A. To learn about the volunteering work that is happening in your locality
A. To gain an invaluable experience to add to your Transition Year portfolio
A. To be part of a rewarding experience
A. To gain independence and confidence, meet new people
A. To develop new skills that may even improve your grades or job prospects
A. An excellent opportunity to learn, develop, increase knowledge and gain some real community life experience
A. To enhance your CV
A. Volunteering your services to help others is not just hugely satisfying; it can also teach you skills that are invaluable to potential employers
A. To gain further volunteering opportunities by having this experience
A. To obtain Certification of your participation
A survey from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reveals that the amount of time spent by Irish people volunteering outside the home is the third equal highest in the OECD. Ireland is the second highest country in the OECD for citizens volunteering time, giving money and helping a stranger.