About Foroige - Sligo Branch
Foróige is the leading youth organisation in Ireland and has been working with young people since 1952. Our purpose is to enable young people to involve themselves consciously and actively in their development and in the development of society.
We work with over 50,000 young people aged 10-18 each year through volunteer-led Clubs and staff-led Youth Projects. Foróige currently operates in 26 counties in Ireland, with 614 Foróige Clubs, 160 Youth Projects, the Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring programme, the Foróige Youth Entrepreneurship programme, our Youth Citizenship and Youth Leadership programmes.
Foróige works with all young people through our general services. Foróige Clubs, Foróige Juniors, Foróige Interest Clubs, Foróige Youth Cafés encourage young people to take responsibility for themselves and to be part of shaping the world around them while developing their talents, skills and abilities. We also work with vulnerable young people who require additional support through a full range of targeted services.
What's Involved
We are looking for Big Brother Big Sister Volunteers across the county, particularly in Sligo Town, Tubbercurry and Ballymote. We are also really looking for male mentors.
We have a new programme- "Site based mentoring"- this is a mentoring programme that matches an adult volunteer to a young person in a supervised setting. Its core assumption is that a friendship will develop through an activity focused programme which will have positive outcomes for the young person in a specific area. The goals may include developing a young person’s social skills, learning a new skill, integrating into the community.
The match meet once a week, for one to two hours, in a supervised group setting by a staff member or a volunteer. They may do one to one activities or group activities (e.g they may do one to one activities such as play a game of pool or a board game or they may participate in group activities such as 5-aside soccer).
There is just a 12 WEEK commitment with option to extend.
An adult volunteer will be matched with a young person aged between 10 and 18 years. The volunteer will act as a role model/mentor and friend and become a Big Brother/Big Sister (BBBS) to a young person who needs an extra adult influence in their life. You will be supported by the the BBBS local Support Worker.
We take applications and carry out Garda Vetting and training all year round.
You spend 1-2 hours per week with you 'Little Brother/Sister' and together you decide when and how to spend that time. Suggestions include:
Card games/computer game competition/Play football, basketball, tennis/Go for hot chocolate or a smoothie/ Go window shopping/Bowling/Swimming (use facilities which offer individual cubicles)/Cook a dinner together/Watch a DVD/Walk in a local park/
Football match/Local library visit/Art galleries/
Take photos of your locality/Mountain Biking/Hiking/Pitch and Putt/Book Club, read the same book and share your thoughts/Share a skill such as playing the guitar/Have a walk around a university or college, it may provide a chance for them to get an idea about what they’d like to do when they get older.
Some testimonials from existing BBBS mentors:
"I have a strong belief that young people need alternatives to what is available nowadays.... the Big Brother Big Sister Programme is a nice alternative, and it is a way for me to contribute to that, so rather than just saying it, it's a matter of doing it!" Big Brother, Galway
“I was fortunate enough to have adults in my life growing up that I could turn to for advice and support if I needed it. I would like to think that I could offer the same to someone else, and this programme provided me with the opportunity to do so." Big Brother
What's required for this position
The volunteer should be outgoing and friendly with a positive outlook.They should also have good communication and interpersonal skills. Must be a good listener and be able to encourage and promote a young person's self esteem. Must be able to relate well to young people. New volunteers are always required for this role.
- Personable Skills
- Youth/ Childcare
Level of English required for this role:
Fluent 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: 1hrs
Other Details
Location of volunteering opportunity:
Sligo Town / County
The CRIB
Rockwood Parade
Sligo
Also available in these counties
Sligo
Screening details for this role:
- Formal Interview
- Garda Vetting
- References
- Application Form
Volunteers will be provided with the following supports:
- Support/ advice/ recognition
- Supervision
- Initial induction and training
- Insurance cover
Age restrictions:
Over 18
Benefits you will receive as a volunteer
You are helping a young person who often does not have a adult/mentor to look up to in life and you will help to fill this gap. Becoming a 'Big Brother/Sister' is a great way to make a real difference.
