About Serve The City Dublin
As a volunteer-led community initiative, the aim of Serve the City is simply to meet the practical needs of people in our community. We seek to bring support to those who need it through a variety of service projects. By painting a room; clearing an overgrown garden; putting up shelves; providing cultural and social activities for asylum seekers and refugees; or befriending programmes, we demonstrate care within the community. We are part of an international movement of Serve the City organisations in over 50 cities worldwide.
Our core values actively guide our work: humility, compassion, respect, courage, love and hope. Read more in our strategic plan – Volunteers Serving Communities.
What's Involved
Serve the City gets referrals from social workers, local authorities, concerned family members etc. on behalf of people who need practical/DIY help. This might include cleaning, painting/wall-papering, decluttering or gardening and are carried out by a team of volunteers, under the guidance of a DIY Project Leader, on SERVE Days. Afterwards, the volunteers and client will often have a cup of tea together and chat, thus helping to break social isolation. DIY Project Leaders play a key role in ensuring SERVE Days are a success.
Tasks
• Liaise with the DIY Administrator about the work request.
• Meet the Client and assess the resources required – equipment, supplies and number of volunteers.
• Collect the materials to undertake the project; organise transportation of materials to the site. Equipment and supplies are at STC’s offices in Terenure. Update the asset inventory.
• Familiarise yourself with the health and safety procedures and ensure the welfare of the team.
• On the SERVE day, meet, greet and provide a short induction to the volunteers, including a health and safety briefing. Allocate tasks and provide support where necessary.
• Liaise with the DIY Coordinator where necessary. On SERVE Days where more than one project is taking place the DIY Coordinator is available to provide backup support.
• Undertake a short debrief with the volunteers at the end of the SERVE Day.
• Return any materials or equipment where necessary to STC’s offices.
• Send a follow-up email to the DIY Administrator with the following information: short description of work undertaken and status of project; any client feedback; number and names of the volunteers who participated; any volunteer feedback and a photograph of work undertaken (where consent has been given).
• Attend bi-monthly peer-to-peer Project Leader meetings.
What's required for this position
• Experience of having volunteered on at least one SERVE Day (this can be arranged).
• Good interpersonal skills – ability to interact with a diversity of volunteers, vulnerable people, peers.
• Practical DIY experience.
• Ability to lead and multitask.
• Commitment to the ethos of volunteering and community initiatives.
• Transportation to get to and from the project (this is not mandatory but helpful).
• We ask that Project Leaders commit to leading 4 SERVE Days per year. SERVE Days take place on Saturdays, typically from 10am to 2pm. Preparation in the weeks before a SERVE Day may take up to three hours.
- Business/ HR/ Management
- Community Development/ Social work
- General Admin/ Office Support
- Personable Skills
- Trades/ Operative/ Manual
Level of English required for this role:
Intermediate English
Times and commitment required for this role
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
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| Morning | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
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| Afternoon | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
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| Evening | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | | |
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Minimum time commitment: 1 year
Hours required: 4hrs Monthly
Other Details
Location of volunteering opportunity:
Dublin - SERVE Days take place all over Dublin. They are determined by the project referrals. Equipment is stored at STC’s offices in Terenure. Project Leader meetings generally take place here.
Other location details:
Dublin North, Dublin South, Dublin City, Dublin South City, Co Dublin
Also available in these counties
Dublin - Dun Laoghaire/ Rathdown, Dublin - South Dublin County
Screening details for this role:
- Garda Vetting
- Informal Interviews
- Application Form
Volunteers will be provided with the following supports:
- Support/ advice/ recognition
- Supervision
- Initial induction and training
- Reimbursement of expenses
- Insurance cover
- Ongoing training opportunities
Volunteers with the following challenges will be supported in this role
- Sensory Disability
- Mental Health Difficulties
Age restrictions:
Over 18
Is this opportunity suitable for groups/teams of volunteers?
No
Benefits you will receive as a volunteer
• Initial & ongoing training
• Opportunity to develop your leadership abilities
• A chance to socialise and have fun with like-minded people
• A reference after volunteering
• Satisfaction of knowing you're key to the project's success
