About Fighting Words
Co-founded by Roddy Doyle, Fighting Words is the creative writing organisation for children and young people, with locations all around Ireland. All our programmes are free of charge and run by teams of volunteer writing mentors. Join our team to help children to explore their imaginations and tell their stories!
What's Involved
When Covid-19 restrictions have been fully lifted in the future, we will be recruiting again for volunteers.
Our locations offer free story-writing workshops in a relaxed, creative environment for primary and secondary school students. Workshops are in two parts: students start a story together as a group in the first half, editing as they go. In the second half, everyone has the opportunity to finish the story individually. Our volunteer writing tutors offer advice, encouragement and mentoring along the way!
What kind of opportunities does FW have for volunteers?
We are looking for anyone who just enjoys working with children - experience in creative writing is not necessary! You do not need to be a writer or a teacher to be a volunteer writing tutor at Fighting Words. We are looking for good listeners who want to help children tell their own stories in their own words and build their self-confidence through the creative practice of writing.
What's required for this position
Interest in working with children and young people, good listening skills, ability to deliver programmes as part of a team, interest in creative writing and literature, sense of humour
- Arts/ Music/ Drama
- Multi-lingual/ Multi-culturalism
- 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: 6 months
Other Details
Location of volunteering opportunity:
Fighting Words,
Behan Square, 12-16 Russell St, Dublin 3
Screening details for this role:
- Garda Vetting
- Informal Interviews
- References
- 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
- Physical Disability
- Learning Disability
- Mental Health Difficulties
Age restrictions:
Over 18
Is this opportunity suitable for groups/teams of volunteers?
Yes
Benefits you will receive as a volunteer
Volunteering at Fighting Words is enormously rewarding. Our volunteers help children find their individual voices, which builds confidence and self-esteem. Just as importantly, volunteering at Fighting Words is fun.
Getting there
Train: Connolly or Drumcondra station. Bus: Routes along Lower Drumcondra Road (11/16/41), Summerhill (123), Mountjoy Square (46E and 7) and Amiens Street (15)
