Overview
Being a volunteer for the Community Development Program in Ireland, you can choose from an array of projects that would suit your interests. No matter which project you opt for, you'd be working with experienced local staff and gain valuable work experience. And it isn't just that - but you'd also get to serve the society meaningfully.
Here's a list of volunteering opportunities that are currently available under the Community Development Program:
- Charity Shops
Volunteer work includes: Provide sales assistance to customers, ensure goods are well displayed, sorting donations, etc.
- Tourist Office
Volunteer work includes: Provide assistance to visitors, assist local staff in administrative tasks, etc.
- Community Clean up
Volunteer work includes: Take part in the community clean up with local community groups to improve the local environment and make it a better place to live
- Assisting at local events (e.g. sports events, festivals, etc.)
Volunteer work includes: Assist with crowd/ticket control, providing information to the public, etc.
- Helping in a local touristic/natural heritage attraction
Volunteer work may include: assisting staff in providing services to visitors (play area for children, café, crowd control, etc.)
- Day Care Centre for Elderly people
Volunteer work includes: Assist local staff in running activities with local elderly people, organize games, serve food or simply have a chat and bring your positive energy!
- Helping at local Secondary School
Volunteer work includes language classes assistant, assisting staff with running activities with pupils.
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
This programme is for participants who are flexible and want to experience more than one type of volunteer project. We work with different community projects and you will be matched taking into account your profile and the needs of the community. Most community development placement involve volunteering in a charity shop + one or 2 other community project.
Volunteer Work Schedule
Volunteers work approximately 25 - 30h per week with two days off.
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.
