Volunteer

Description

Galway Simon Community was set up in 1979 by a group of University of Galway students who refused to accept homelessness on the streets of Galway. Today, our volunteers continue to remain an integral part of our organisation.

Volunteers give anything from one hour to a few days a week of their spare time. There are many opportunities to get involved, from organising fundraising events to housing support, be-friending our clients, skills sharing and helping out in one of our Shops.

It has only been with the support of the wider community that we have grown, developed, learned and adapted over the years to become a leading provider of homeless services and homelessness prevention in the region.

In 2021, we saw an increase of 26% in the number of households supported by our services compared to 2020. Of significant concern was the 25% increase in the number of young adults we supported. With the housing and homelessness crises continuing to deepen here in the West and rising fuel and food prices, we are deeply worried that even more people will find themselves at risk of homelessness this Winter. 

 

Event volunteers:

Our event volunteers support us for one-off and annual fundraising events that we hold. Responsibilities are varied depending on the event and can include stewarding, ticketing, hospitality and much more.

 

Shop volunteers:

If you like a retail setting or engaging with customers, this is the perfect volunteer role for you. Both of our shops on Sea Road and Sean Mulvoy Road are staffed with the support of volunteers. Volunteers are asked to commit to a minimum of 4 hours a week.

 

Housing Support Volunteer:

This role involves helping out in our housing services by spending time and engaging in activities with clients along with assisting our qualified staff members with daily tasks in the house.

 

Be-friending Volunteer:

This role involves meeting with one of our clients on a weekly basis to spend time together or do something you both enjoy. Volunteers are matched with clients based on their skills and the support needed.  Activities can include going for walks, grabbing a coffee together or watching sports.

 

Skills Sharing Volunteer:

Some people like to volunteer their time to share particular skills or knowledge they may have that is of interest to our clients. We are always open to new ideas for this role so if you have a skill you would like to share, we would love to hear from you. A few examples of skills people have shared: we’ve had guitar lessons, hairdressing, painting, woodwork and literacy classes.

Is training provided?: Yes

Tasks that the volunteer(s) will be expected to undertake:

Volunteers will be trained in merchandising donated goods and clothes and how to operate a till and process card payments.  The volunteers are supervised and training is provided for all tasks.

Skills required for this role:

Friendly open personality and good communication skills

Details of time commitment needed for role:
Flexible opportunities - please contact Galway Simon Community to discuss

Minimum time commitment per week:
4 hour p/week

Additional screening required for this role:
Application form to be completed and we need contact names for 2 referee's