- +353 749126740
- info@volunteerdonegal.ie
- Becoming a Volunteer
For Volunteers
- I Want to Volunteer!
3 Steps to Becoming a Volunteer
1.
- GETTING STARTED
Register Online
No commitment required at this stage. We will contact you and invite you to an optional meeting or help you over the phone.
2.
- BEGIN YOUR SEARCH
Search for Opportunities
Browse opportunities and apply. We refer you to the host organisations that you are interested in and they will follow up with information to complete the application process.
3.
- CONGRATULATIONS
You’re on the way!
Now that you have begun the process of registering to become a volunteer, we will be in contact to provide you with help and support to make the most of your volunteering.
- Volunteer Information Sessions
Still not sure you want to register?
Contact us to arrange a discussion on Volunteer Supports and Opportunities.
- Volunteering is one of the most rewarding things you can do.
Benefits of Volunteering...
And thinking about how you want to benefit from volunteering is a good start to finding an opportunity that's right for you.
- Gain confidence. Volunteering can help you gain confidence by giving you the chance to try something new and build a real sense of achievement.
- Make a difference. Volunteering can have a real and valuable positive affect on people, communities and society in general.
- Meet people. Volunteering can help you meet different kinds of people and make new friends.
- Be part of a community. Volunteering can help you feel part of something outside your friends and family.
- Learn new skills. Volunteering can help you learn new skills, gain experience and sometimes even qualifications.
- Take on a challenge. Through volunteering you can challenge yourself to try something different, achieve personal goals, practice using your skills and discover hidden talents.
- Have fun! Most volunteers have a great time, regardless of why they do it.
- WHAT WE DO
Services for Volunteers
The volunteer centre is here to help you find a suitable volunteer placement. We act as the link between people who want to volunteer and organisations that are looking to involve volunteers in the local area. If you are interested in volunteering, but not sure if it's right for you or how to get started, we are the people to talk to!
- GET IN TOUCH
You can make an appointment to meet with us in person at our various monthly outreach sessions or in our Letterkenny Office. Our services are free of charge and open to everyone. If you are under the age of 18 we will need the permission of your parent or guardian before we work with you.
- GET IN TOUCH
You can register with us online and we will contact you within one week, usually less. You can also browse the volunteering opportunities available in Co. Donegal and apply for any you are interested in at Browse Opportunities.
- KNOW THE FACTS
Volunteering & Social Welfare
Replace this text Volunteering while Jobseeking can be very rewarding....
- THE FACTS
- You are allowed to volunteer while receiving Jobseekers Benefit and Jobseekers Allowance, in fact the Department encourage it – but there are a few conditions.*People in receipt of other benefits such as Disability Payment, Carers Payments etc. my need to read specific conditions for their payment rules.
- You need to be available for and genuinely seeking employment. The amount of hours you volunteer for is not necessarily a barrier.
- Your volunteering activities need to be really voluntary i.e. unpaid, and the organisation you volunteer with has to be not-for-profit.
- You should inform your deciding officer that you’re volunteering.
- They will give you a form to bring to the organisation you’re volunteering with (it’s called a VW1 form). The organisation fills in the form and return it to DSP. You may have to sign a part of it. This form is not designed to ‘check up on you’ – it is actually about making sure the organisation is an organisation who genuinely involves volunteers for genuine reasons.
- The Deciding Officer decides if the person can volunteer or not based on the type of volunteering involved; the aims and standing of the voluntary body; the weekly hours volunteered; and the amount of any payment received by way of out-of-pocket expenses. Note: there are no set weekly hours, and even people who contribute lots of voluntary hours may not be affected.
- OTHER PAYMENTS
Disability Payments: If you are in receipt of Disability Allowance, Illness benefit or Invalidity Pension, you must get permission to volunteer before you begin.
If you are getting Invalidity Pension you cannot do more than 19.5 hours per week voluntary work (no limits for those in receipt of Illness benefit or Disability Allowance)
If you are in receipt of Carer’s Allowance, you can do a maximum of 15 hours per week voluntary work. You must get permission from Department of Social Protection before commencing Volunteer Work.
