Overview
Giving a little boost to our creative cells is extremely important and what can be better than polishing your artistic skills as a volunteer?
Volunteering Solutions partner organization in Ireland is collaborating with community Arts projects including Arts centres, Arts Festivals and museums which welcome international volunteers to support their work all year round. Arts centres present a range of visual arts exhibitions in their gallery space, they also create opportunities for children, young people and adults to engage with high standard arts programme through creative workshops and classes. Arts festivals in Ireland come in all shapes and sizes and contribute to make Ireland a cultural centre for the arts. Festivals presents and produces programmes across theatre, music, film screenings, visual arts, opera, street spectacle, dance etc.
Volunteers can get involved in a wide variety of activities from carrying out administrative and marketing tasks to organising events and helping
facilitating workshops. Volunteers with a diversity of profiles are welcome; they do not necessarily need to have an artistic background.
Program Requirements
Volunteers are required to be adaptable, flexible people. Participants must be over 18 when the project starts. Volunteers joining the project should have at least an intermediate level of spoken English (B1/B2). Participants will join a group of workers and local volunteers composed of people from different backgrounds and different age groups. Volunteers need to be able to partake in teamwork, but personal motivation, maturity and responsibility are also important. Volunteers joining the project should provide a criminal background check. A video call interview may be done to check participants suitability.
Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities
Being a volunteer for the Art Projects, you’ll mostly have to do the following work:
- Assisting in art workshops facilitation
- Providing administrative support
- Assisting in organizing events with partner organizations
- Supporting social media activities
- Supporting marketing and promotion campaigns
Volunteer Work Schedule
Volunteers usually work from Mondays to Fridays, for about 5 to 7 hours each day. the work schedule might vary. Weekends are generally free for the volunteers to explore and enjoy on their own.
Living
Airport Transfers
Participants are picked up by a driver who will be waiting with a sign displaying the participants’ name. Participants are transferred to a hostel accommodation located in Cork city center.
Volunteers who arrive at a different airport (Dublin, Shannon, Kerry, Waterford) need to make their own way to Cork. It is very easy to join Cork city from Dublin airport as there are buses from just outside the arrival terminal in Dublin that go directly to Cork city center (aircoach.ie). Participants are picked up from their point of entry in Cork (bus station or train station).
Orientation
On the morning of the second day, participants are met by the coordinating staff at the hostel reception and will walk to the Cork Volunteer Centre where the orientation workshop takes place.
The orientation workshop lasts approximately 3.5h and includes the following topics:
- Sharing and discussing fears and expectations
- Exploring motivations
- Skills and attitudes to make the programme a success
- Roles and responsibilities of stakeholders(sender/host/volunteer)
- Lines of communication
- Potential challenges
- Introduction to Irish culture
- Cultural adaptation, culture shock and inter-cultural
- competences
- Cultural adaptation in the Irish context
- Practical tips for a successful voluntary service
- Health issues
- Safety and security, risk mitigation
- Overview of what to do during free time
After the orientation workshop and their lunch, participants take part in a 2h walking tour of Cork City. During the tour, they are provided with practical advice, cultural and historical information.
At the end of the tour, participants are brought to the bus or train station and go to their project location. In some cases, depending on the location and availability of project mentor, the transfer could be done the following morning.
Accommodation & Meals
On arrival in Cork, volunteers are provided accommodation at a hostel in the city center. While on the project, volunteers will live in local host family accommodation allowing you to get a real sense of life in an Irish family and community. Meals will be provided along with a packed lunch as needed. Host families are based within walking distance of the project or near a public transport that allows the volunteer to reach the project easily.
The host family provides breakfast (cereals or toasts, hot drink etc.), pack lunch (sandwiches, fruit etc.) and hot dinner in the evening (e.g. pasta, sausages, potatoes, pizza etc.). It is possible to cater for vegetarians (this information is subject to change, please check with us).
Explore During Free Time
Volunteers will have the weekends to explore. There is always something happening in Clonmel, with frequent theatre, concerts, live music, art exhibitions, and festivals.
During your free time, volunteers can discover the countryside around Clonmel, Tipperary region. They can visit famous attractions such as the Rock of Cashel Castle and Cahir Castle located in nearby towns. They can also discover cities such as Kilkenny, Cork or Dublin.
Program Cost
Please Note: -An application fee of $229 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment. (A 4% international banking fee is charged at the time of payment)
What are you Paying for?
- Pre-departure Information guide and support
- Pickup in Cork
- First night in hostel in Cork City
- Transfer to Project
- All Meals except lunch on arrival day
- Accommodation in Host Family or at Project
- Orientation with local staff
- Ongoing support from project mentor
- Local staff support and coordination
- Certificate Of Completion (Upon Request)
What's NOT included?
- Flights
- Lunch on arrival day
- Return airport transfer (local team can assist with this)
- Visa Fee
- Vaccinations
- Medical & Travel Insurance
- Personal Expenses
Program Dates
| Months | 2023 |
| January | 09 |
| February | 13 |
| March | 06 |
| April | 03 |
| May | 0829 |
| June | 12 |
| July | 031731 |
| September | 04 |
| October | 02 |
| November | 06 |
FAQ's
FAQ's Application and Program Details
As we have limited spots available in our programs and we serve on first come first basis, it is strongly recommended to apply for the program and reserve your spot in the program well in advance. You can book your spot in the program by filling an online form and pay the application fee.
Once you complete your application, your individual 'My Account' will be active in which you will receive your placement confirmation after which you can pay the program fees. You can pay the program fees later as well in installments, but 45 days before the program starts.
After you complete your application, your personalized ‘My Account’ will be active. You will need to upload your CV/Resume along with your photo in the same. Our backend team and the placement site takes around 10-12 days to review your application. After we review your CV and documents, your booking is confirmed and booking confirmation is updated in your ‘My Account’.
- You must be respectful of other cultures
- You must be tolerant towards others and respect the differences
- You must welcome teamwork but also be able to work alone
- You must be at least 18; if you are underage you need to come with a permission from your parents
- You have to be a proactive person, we welcome volunteers with initiative and creativity
- You must have at least an Intermediate level of English
Yes, you are welcome to take part in the Programs in Ireland as part of a group. We welcome families, friends, high school students, college/university and corporate groups to volunteer in Ireland programs together.
Yes, most definitely you can as we believe every participant brings something new to the project. If you do not have previous experience, we offer you the opportunity to have a great start with us. We make international volunteering easy – not only are our Volunteer Abroad opportunities rooted in offering you extensive support, but they are also very affordable.
Yes, we will provide you with the Certificate after successful completion of your program. The certificate is provided on request.
After the orientation workshop and the lunch, participants take part in a 2h walking tour of Cork City. During the tour, they are provided with practical advice, cultural and historical information.
At the end of the tour, participants are brought to the bus or train station and go to their project location. In some cases, depending on the location and availability of project mentor, the transfer could be done the following morning.
Ireland is a wonderful country; it is safe, friendly, rich in heritage, history, and culture. From vibrant, exciting cities to the spectacular countryside – it’s a magical place to visit. It’s also a wonderful place to stay and immerse yourself. The best part of an experience in Ireland is probably connecting with local people. Visitors find Irish people friendly, welcoming and very supportive.
There is in Ireland a strong sense of community with many initiatives taking place at local level. We have selected very specific community-based projects where participants can have an authentic and worthwhile experience. If you are keen to learn and experience something new, then there can be nothing better than this!
Participants can leave either on their last Saturday or Sunday. Project mentors provide them with information on how to reach the airport. The airports are well connected by public transport it is something participant find easy to do.
Flights and Visa
Ireland is well connected with other major cities in Europe as well as with direct connections to some cities in North America. Participants need to arrive at Cork Airport. You can also arrive at Dublin and take a coach transfer to Cork city.
It is the participant's responsibility to make sure that you have checked the visa requirements before traveling to Ireland. Citizens of most European countries and USA/Canada do not require a visa for travel to Ireland to stay up to a certain period. You can check with us for more details once you’ve applied for the programs.
Connect with Past Volunteers
We encourage volunteers to get in touch with former Volunteering Solutions participants and also other program participants joining our projects. You are recommended to join the Volunteering Solutions Facebook Page or Facebook Group to communicate with other participants.
To read alumni interviews from past participants, visit the Meet a Volunteer page on our website.
Health and Safety
Some routine vaccines like Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Tetanus are required before traveling to Ireland. You can check the CDC List of vaccines and consult your doctor for any specific medication that you might require.
