Volunteer on a short term cross-community project in Northern Ireland

About Voluntary Service International (VSI)

Voluntary Service International (VSI) is an Irish non-profit organisation working to promote social justice, sustainable development, and intercultural understanding through volunteering. Every summer we organise several volunteering projects with local communities in Ireland and welcome national and international volunteers to work together.

• Glebe House cross-community projects

Glebe House in Northern Ireland works towards a fair, inclusive society that respects and cherishes each person's humanity, dignity, aspirations, ideas and needs. They need volunteers for a 10-day residential project in May and then again in September.

First project in Glebe House 28 May – 7 June

Volunteers’ role

Glebe House and VSI would like you to join the international group of volunteers this May! The volunteer work will be to set up, assist with and be involved in the annual fundraising Open Day on Sunday 4th June. The Open Day is an event in which community groups who use Glebe House can come along for a fun family day out. It will also be open to the public and will be used as a fund and awareness-raising event for Glebe House. On the day we are expecting around 400 visitors, there will be entertainment running from 1.00pm until 5.00pm. The volunteers will assist during the week before the event with the setting up and the arrangements for the day. They will then help out on the Open Day where they will be assisted by many local Glebe House volunteers. There will be a wide range of stalls that the volunteers can help to run.

It is not planned to hold formal study sessions during the project, but we will set aside time for information to be given to the project volunteers on the history and aims of Glebe House. Some talks and discussions on the Northern Ireland conflict, history and the peace process will be organised as well.

Second project in Glebe House 3 September – 14 Septembe

Volunteers’ role

Each year in September Glebe House holds an International Volunteer Project, to help carry out a major tidy and clean up after our very busy summer residential programme with children. The work for the project will involve general cleaning and maintenance around the Glebe House centre, including working on the gardens, working on the wildlife play areas, general cleaning and reorganising, fruit harvesting and general repairs. Volunteers should bring work clothes work shoes and gloves.

It is planned to have some discussion sessions during the project on the following topics, “The History and aims of Harmony Community Trust and Glebe House”, “A potted history of Ireland”, “The Northern Ireland peace process”. There will be visits to a few local historical areas. There will also be opportunities for volunteers to discuss other issues of relevance to themselves.

Accommodation

Accommodation and food are provided during both projects.

Requirements

Volunteers do NOT need any previous specific knowledge or skills. The participants’ selection is based on their motivation.

Application process

To apply for a project or if you have any questions, contact VSI office at ivpvsi.ie or infovsi.ie or tel.: 01 855 1011 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm). We’ll be happy to help you!

For more information, please visit our website www.vsi.ie

VSI is a registered charity: CHY 9220. VSI is registered as a limited company, no. 140520, having no share capital.