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
Fighting Words offers free story writing workshops for primary schools students in the mornings and creative writing tutoring for secondary students in the afternoons. All of the workshops at Fighting Words are run by teams of volunteer writing tutors, and take place in a relaxed, creative environment.
What kind of opportunities does Fighting Words have for volunteers?
You do not need past experience as a teacher or a writer to volunteer with us; if you are enthusiastic, a good listener and enjoy working with children or young adults then we want to hear from you.
Below is an insight into what our volunteers do:
Primary Level Workshops : (Glencree)
Imagine you are 6-12 years of age. You enter a magical, beautiful place in beautiful Wicklow and spend two hours writing your very own book. The day’s team of volunteer tutors work with classes of primary school students, who produce a book together. There are opportunities for people who like to write stories, people who like to draw (all our books are illustrated by volunteers) and people who like to work with small groups of students to encourage their creativity.
Secondary Level Workshops: (Glencree), (Blessington Library), (Baltinglass Library)
Imagine being the person who inspires and encourages young people to express themselves in ways they did not think they could. At Fighting Words, you can be that person! We run creative writing workshops for second level students in the afternoons. We need volunteers to help us run these workshops, and provide help and support in small groups or one-on-one.
What's required for this position
Interest in working with children and young people, good listening skills, the ability to deliver programmes as part of a team, interest in creative writing and literature, sense of humour.
As Glencree is relatively remote, volunteers would preferably have their own form of transport, though this is not essential.
- Arts/ Music/ Drama
- Education/ Training
- 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 |
Morning | | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | | |
Afternoon | | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | | |
Evening |
Minimum time commitment: Flexible
Other Details
Location of volunteering opportunity:
Fighting Words Glencree, Aurora Recreation/Education Centre, Glencree, Co. Wicklow.
A98 C573
Blessington Library,Blessington, Co. Wicklow
Baltinglass Library,Weaver's Square, Baltinglass East, Baltinglass, Co. Wicklow
Screening details for this role:
- Garda Vetting
- Informal Interviews
- References
- Application Form
- Identification Check (photo ID etc…)
Volunteers will be provided with the following supports:
- Support/ advice/ recognition
- Supervision
- Initial induction and training
- Insurance cover
- Ongoing training opportunities
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 and young adults find their individual voices, which builds confidence and self-esteem. Fighting Words is also hugely good fun for volunteers.
Getting there
Transport for volunteers is available from Bray Dart station.