Questions to Ask Yourself Before Volunteering
Volunteers have the potential to build local value, increase their social capital, provide support to other people in their community, and invigorate their environs with new spirit, creativity and ideas!
For many people the biggest barrier to volunteering is a busy schedule. However, most of us really can fit volunteering into our lives. There is no minimum time requirement—you can put in an hour a day, an hour a month, or an hour a year. Look for holes in your schedule or combine volunteering with other important activities like family time, or combine it with a hobby (e.g. photography, playing the piano, etc.).
Be realistic about how much time you have. Use a diary to accurately gauge how much time you have to give. Take note of busy times in your schedule and periods that tend to be free. Consider what your priorities are and what other activities can be rearranged to suit your lifestyle and interests.
Be open and honest with the volunteer organisation about your schedule as they and other volunteers might set a rota based on your availability. Agree to a trial period with your volunteer organisation and make adjustments based on your availability.
If you would like to volunteer but don’t feel you can commit a lot of time, you should consider short term or once-off volunteering. When searching for a role on I-VOL, select ‘Short term/seasonal/once off’ from the ‘Activity’ drop down menu to view available short term opportunities.
What do you want to gain from volunteering? This answer varies from person-to-person and no answer is wrong. From a chance to make a difference to using a skill or talent; from gaining professional experience to expressing your religious faith; from a chance to meet new people to achieving personal growth; gaining a more balanced life to giving something back. There are lots of reasons people volunteer. Be aware of yours.
Organisations across the county inform Roscommon Volunteer Centre about their needs and often are closely attuned to the needs of their residents. Ask us about what’s happening locally. If you have an idea about a volunteer initiative, reach out to us so we can see which local structures can best support your idea. Don’t forget to check out the I-VOL database from time-to-time to see what new opportunities arise.
One of the most important considerations you should think about before volunteering are your needs. You know yourself best. Consider if you have additional needs that might need to be addressed before you start to volunteer.
Do you need physical support? (If so, that’s something you should speak to the community organisation about.)
Do you require childcare? (Is there a neighbour or family member that can mind your children for a few hours to support your desire to volunteer?)
Are you a fluent English speakers? (If not, that’s okay. Many organisations are happy to take volunteers on board and help them improve their English.)
Think about your life and your situation and any concerns you might have. If you need support in addressing these, please reach out to us.
If you are under 18 you will need to let the volunteer co-ordinator know your age; some agencies have set age limits for their volunteers. You will also need to obtain parental consent before you start volunteering.
There are a number of ways students can try to find a suitable volunteering role for Transition Year Placements. However, it does depend on the roles available at the time and if they are suitable for under 18s. The volunteering roles that are advertised on our website are from organisations who have a specific need/event they require help and support with. So the variety and number of roles can vary depending on the organisations who contact us.
A student can search I-VOL by location and interest, and if a suitable opportunity appears in the search results, they can apply directly to the organisation. Alternatively, a student can call or email info@volunteerroscommon.ie for additional support with finding a placement.
Additionally, the school can contact Roscommon Volunteer Centre to ask for suitable opportunities for their transition year students.
Remember to pick a convenient location: sticking with a volunteer opportunity will be hard if getting there is part of the problem.
It’s also good to remember that there are more virtual volunteering opportunities now available all across Ireland. So if you don’t have a car or access to public transportation, a wide range of volunteer opportunities are still open to you.
It can be. Volunteering is a great way to meet people, have a laugh and do something positive all at the same time.
You should enjoy your volunteering experience. Pick something that you think will be fun, fulfilling and enjoyable.
A common misconception is that everyone needs to be Garda vetted before they can volunteer. You will only need to be vetted if the volunteer role involves regular access to children or vulnerable adults. For more detailed information, please visit our Garda vetting information page. And check the Garda Vetting FAQ page on the Garda Síochana website.
If you don’t find a volunteer role that suits you, you should register on I-VOL and check back in a few days to see if something suitable has become available. You should also make contact Roscommon Volunteer Centre directly so we can help you find a suitable role.
Remember that while there are thousands of opportunities on I-VOL, not all organisations advertise their opportunities with us. If there is a specific cause or organisation you would like to volunteer with, consider contacting them directly.
Volunteer Centres promotes and supports volunteering here in Ireland so we don’t have specific information on volunteering abroad. If you are interested in overseas volunteering, we recommend visiting Comhlámh’s website – www.comhlamh.ie. Comhlámh has provided advice and support for people interested in overseas development work since 1975. They aim to develop best practice in the growing sector of overseas volunteering, and to support volunteers in a longer-term commitment to development. They also have a Code of Good Practice for volunteer sending agencies where you can find over 30 organisations who provide quality volunteering opportunities overseas.
Volunteer Ireland and Volunteer Centres only work with volunteers and organisations based in the Republic of Ireland. To register as a volunteer on I-VOL a volunteer must have an Irish address and all volunteering opportunities advertised on I-VOL are based in Ireland.
If you would like to search volunteer opportunities before you arrive you can do so here but you won’t be able to apply until you are in Ireland.
If you have additional support needs, this does not preclude you from volunteering. When you register with your local Volunteer Centre, please make them aware of your additional support needs. They will make sure that you are placed with an organisation that can support your needs as a volunteer.
If you are having an issue applying for a role or wish to make amendments to your information, please contact Roscommon Volunteer Centre by emailing us at info@volunteerroscommon.ie or phoning us at 089-219-9930.
I'm Ready to Volunteer. What's next?
Everyone can volunteer and there are volunteering roles out there to suit all interests and skills. There are countless volunteering opportunities for people to take part in ranging from supporting animal welfare groups, sitting on a board for a community group, helping an organisation with social media communication, web design, administration, advocacy and everything in between. Whether you’re looking to develop your skills or bring your talents to an cause you’re passionate about, there’s a place for you!
On I-VOL, you can find thousands of available volunteering opportunities across Ireland. You can search for opportunities by location, cause, activity or keyword. Browse I-VOL to click, connect and volunteer!
