Overview
Volunteering Solutions, in association with one of the biggest voluntary charitable organization in Ireland, has curated this amazing opportunity where you can work at a charity shop located in Clonmel, the largest town in the County of Tipperary. The project has two locations in the town: a charity shop based on the main street and a sorting office where donations are sorted. Nearby the sorting office, there is also a furniture store, a bookshop, and a bric-a-brac, all run by the charity.
The income from the charity shop is the main source of revenue for a charity that visits and provides friendship and financial support to people living in poverty in the region. The work of this charity ensures that everyone can live with dignity. The charity depends on the time contributed by dedicated local volunteers.
Not only will this be an incredible opportunity for you to learn while working with a team of volunteers and local Irish staff, but it'll also provide you with immensely meaningful work exposure, that will enhance your career in the days ahead.
This project is located in Clonmel, County Tipperary. Clonmel town is a busy town that provides shopping and various services for people of the surrounding rural area. It is located 2 ½ hours from the capital city Dublin and 1 ½ hour from Cork city. Clonmel is well served by bus and train services. The town is nestled in the Comeragh Mountains with the Knockmealdown Mountains to the South and legendary Slievenamon to the East. Hillwalking and cycling are popular local activities.
Program Requirements
Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the time of joining the project and must be fluent in English English. Volunteers must be mature, flexible and have an adaptive personality. Volunteers should be keen to take up responsibilities and act quickly as and when required. Any skills or experience with retail sales, particularly clothes or furniture is an advantage. Volunteers with an interest in DIY or an eye for interior design and decoration would be highly valued. All volunteers must provide a clean criminal background check report prior to joining the program. Additional documents such as CV/Resume and Statement of motivation shall also be required.
Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities
Being a volunteer for this project, your main tasks would involve managing the charity shop, moving furniture or sorting books or bags of donated clothes.
Working in the shop front requires volunteers to be presentable to the public.
Book sales are sometimes organized outside in summer in the centre of the town or at local events and festivals.
Apart from that, you’ll have other miscellaneous work at the shop like:
- Providing sales assistance to customers
- Ensure goods are well displayed
- Keep the shop clean and tidy
You can also volunteer and help in doing certain office work like:
- Sorting donations into recycling and shop stock
- Repairing donations
- Steam cleaning shop stock clothing
- Moving, cleaning and restoring furniture
- Painting walls
- Sorting and displaying books for sale
- Sorting and displaying furniture
Volunteer Work Schedule
As a volunteer, you’ll be usually working from Mondays to Fridays - from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. You can make good use of the weekends to head out and explore the city.
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.
