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 a house which is located a short distance from Dublin city centre. All EVS volunteers are able to be in close contact. The house is fully furnished and equipped with bedding, pots and pans etc and is located a 10 minute walk from Sunshine House.

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.

The project houses up to 23 long-term homeless street drinkers who have failed to or do not wish to stop drinking. The residents may have associated mental health problems, general health problems and a low self-esteem. The project accepts both men and women over the age of 18.
Our aim is to open new possibilities for the project and its residents through the inclusion of volunteers. While the project staff often have to focus on the basic service provision (e.g. preparing meals, cleaning etc.) the volunteers can concentrate solely on additional activities which will be of great benefit to the residents. These can be activities in the project itself such as assisting in organising arts, crafts or music sessions or even in facilitating basic and life skills classes. Other activities may be away from the project (e.g. with staff organising outings or accompanying a resident together with a member of staff to the Doctor the courts etc.). All such activities will be supported or supervised by the project staff, but we would encourage the volunteer to take initiative in arranging such activities if they feel comfortable to do so.

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=38000219717