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.

The Clancy Night Shelter is a project which works with young homeless people between the age of 18 & 35. The mission of the project is to provide accommodation and food to all its residents and treat everybody in a respectful, person centred and non-judgmental manner. The service is provided by a staff team of 8 project workers, 3 Managers and a team of volunteers. Some of these area part time while others are on a fulltime voluntary experience. The project aims to assist young homeless people to move away from the streets. The shelter operates between 7.30pm and 9am the following morning.

The project accommodates 16 young rough sleepers, male or female, single or couples aged 18 to 35. The project opens each evening, 7 days a week at 7.30pm and provides free of charge accommodation, in single, double or one 4 bedded room, a hot evening meal and breakfast. Each resident has access to showering facilities, a TV and common room and small locker to keep personal items safe. Trained project staff offer advice and assistance in linking the clients into services and day centres outside of the project as well as resettlement services and move on options. The project is closed at 8am.

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=38000219749