Initially the volunteers time will be very structured, but they will be offered the opportunity to develop a project which is of particular interest to them, such as an arts or cultural project, a language course or sports group. We will support the volunteer in developing this, but will allow them to take the lead in it, thereby improving their organisational and development skills.

Primarily the volunteer will spend their 30-35 hour working week at activities in their project. This may also include language and role training, volunteer team meetings, staff team meetings or team days, etc. Timetables/rotas are agreed in consultation with the EVS volunteer, the project manager/supervisor and the coordinator/mentor. Annual leave entitlements accrue at the same rate as a other project team members (i.e. EVS volunteers get approximately 2 days of annual leave for every month volunteered, and also are entitled to take Bank Holidays).

Once the volunteers have settled into their roles, they are also given the opportunity to diversify their project if they wish to. This may entail main project for three days a week and contributing to another Depaul Ireland project for one day a week. In the past volunteers have got involved in other aspects of Depaul Irelands work in which they took particular interest.

The volunteer will attend structured English language and other training and we will also try and facilitate them to gain competences or qualifications in other areas of interest.

Volunteers are offered a single room in a shared house. We currently let two four bed houses which are located a short distance from Dublin city centre. The houses two doors down from each other, so all 8 EVS volunteers are able to be in close contact. The house is fully furnished and equipped with bedding, pots and pans etc.

Volunteers will be provided with a weekly pocket money allowance in Euros. Initially, the allowance will be paid weekly initially, by either the mentor or the member of staff on duty, when the mentor is not working. Volunteers will be given support to obtain an Irish bank account so that direct deposits can be arranged.

At the project where volunteers are working, their meals will be provided on activity. On top of this volunteers will be given a food allowance (included in weekly pocket money payment). Volunteers will prepare their own meals in their house, in a kitchen, shared with other volunteers.

The volunteer attend structured English language training. A young person arriving as a volunteer may initially wish to undertake an in-house provision, before gaining the confidence to move onto a more structured college provision. An in depth language assessment will be completed to determine the most appropriate linguistic training for each volunteer. We will also try to facilitate them to build their skills and competences in other areas of interest.

Back Lane is an Emergency homeless accommodation project situated in the city of Dublin. It provides accommodation and support to 74 homeless men over the age of 26 for between 6 and 12 months. Primarily the volunteer will work with the residents in the Back Lane hostel. They will work alongside, and be part of, a team of 25 full time staff, 2 EVS volunteers and numerous part time volunteers and will add to the basic service the staff can provide for such a large number of residents.

Many of the residents in the hostel are of quite advanced age and have experienced homelessness for a long time. With such a lifestyle almost inevitably comes the fact that most residents have been socially excluded and alienated from society. The task of the volunteer would be to engage some of these, individually or in small groups, to undertake some social activities.

The hostel provides direct access, emergency and short-term accommodation. Residents have access to a communal pool and snooker room, library and television lounge. Full board is provided. Two rooms are fully wheelchair accessible. All residents are given assistance on resettlement and support following their move on. As part of the support and settlement programme, residents are offered a life skills course and access to addiction treatment. The project accepts people with alcohol and mental health problems but drug users and men whose behaviour may be deemed a risk to staff or other residents will not be accepted. Alcohol is also not allowed on the premises.

The Youth in Action Programme, Action 2 is one of the best ways to integrate volunteers into the work that we do. Its support and development mechanisms set a professional standard to which we aspire. Over the past years, EVS volunteers have brought a dynamic vibrancy to the work of Depaul Ireland, on a local, national, European and international level. We strive each year to improve the quality and positive impact which this opportunity has to offer through regular consultation with service users, staff, EVS volunteers, part-time volunteers and the local community. As an organisation, Depaul Ireland is committed to providing a valuable and mutually beneficial experience for EVS volunteers. We are proud of the way that we integrate, utilise, promote and celebrate volunteers.

http://ec.europa.eu/youth/evs/aod/hei_form_en.cfm?EID=38000219733