Volunteering Key Resource Launched
Volunteering, particularly with young people, is a key resource for society promoting solidarity and better mental health according to Ireland’s largest youth organisation.
On April 6th Youth Work Ireland launched a new Volunteer Training Pack with Youth Work Ireland Louth in the Southside Project in Drogheda.
Speaking at the launch Patrick Burke, CEO of Youth Work Ireland said “Volunteerism is at the heart of Youth Work Ireland’s work and identity. The role of the volunteer is central to the work of Member Youth Services and central to our club work. This pack is aimed at those who have responsibility for the recruitment, training, and support of Youth Work Ireland Club Volunteers. The purpose of the pack is to provide an opportunity for volunteers to consider their motivation for volunteering and to gain information and knowledge to enhance their volunteering journey. It will help to ensure a standardised and consistent approach to volunteer training across the organisation.”
Youth work volunteers, supported by Member Youth Services staff, are among the key deliverers of services to young people. The pack restates our commitment to volunteerism and seeks to define the rights of volunteers to describe the supports they can expect to receive during their time in Youth Work Ireland.
Speaking at the launch Louise Monaghan one of the packs authors said “The purpose of this training pack is to provide an opportunity for volunteers to consider their motivation for volunteering, better understand what’s involved and gain information and knowledge, including where they can access support. Volunteers who are invested in are more likely to engage in volunteering for longer.”
Olive Ring the other author said “The pack has been designed to be flexible and easy to use. It is divided into six core sessions, each of which must be covered. Each session contains an overall aim, learning objectives, suggested content with a variety of methodologies (for both online and in person delivery) and a key learning outcome which must be met. Trainers can use their discretion as to how best to meet the key learning outcomes.”
This launch took place during Youth Work Ireland Week where local youth services celebrated the contribution and impact made by volunteers in youth work. This year Youth Work Ireland have taken inspiration from their Youth Club Reinvigoration Business Plan and are celebrating and recognising the importance of local volunteers (referred to as ‘local heroes’) to the surviving and thriving of community-based youth work. Member Youth Services will recognise and thank these local heroes for the time they give to support youth services and young people.
