About Barnardos
Barnardos supports children whose well being is under threat, by working with them,their families and communities and by campaigning for the rights of children. Barnardos was established in Ireland in 1962 and is Ireland's leading independent children's charity.
What's Involved
Barnardos is currently seeking a volunteer with an interest in and experience of working with children - in particular early year’s development, play and positive parenting - for our First Friends Programme based in Dun Laoghaire. This programme is starting in September 2019 and will run every Friday morning from 9am to 1pm, until the end of June 2020.
The Role:
Volunteer tasks and responsibilities include:
Preparing a child centred environment; Welcoming parents and children to the service;
Interacting in a positive and friendly manner with both parents and children; Planning and supporting activities; Supporting parents to build friendships; Assisting in the preparation of light refreshments for parents and children;
Helping set up/tidy up toys and equipment;
Participating in the planning and reviewing of programme;
Assisting project staff to ensure a high standard of health and safety and good practice;
Feeding back to staff;
When required, completing incident forms on issues regarding child protection or health & safety;
Facilitating staff to promote the parent child relationship of service users; Facilitating staff in encouraging parents to actively play with their children;
Playing with the attending children in a child-led manner.
What's required for this position
Skills and Qualities Required
Ability to interact with parents attending the group and the ability to assist the parents to build friendships with each other.
Ability to respond in a positive and age appropriate way to children’s needs and behaviour.
Willingness to play with children at their level, to sing nursery songs, to read stories and to engage in messy play (with paint, glitter etc).
Understanding of child development.
Awareness of confidentiality in relation to service users.
Ability to show initiative.
Have the capacity to work in a disadvantaged community.
Ability to work as part of a team.
A willingness to learn and experience new ideas.
A willingness to accept and comply with Barnardos ethos, policies and procedures.
A willingness to share experience, expertise and a willingness to accept support.
Friendly, confident and polite.
To have a sense of humour.
To have patience to deal with the various requests that can arise.
To be flexible.
Friendly and polite person;
- Community Development/ Social work
- 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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Minimum time commitment: 1 year
Hours required: 4hrs Weekly
Other Details
Location of volunteering opportunity:
Mounttown Community Facility, Meadowlands Fitzgerald Park, Lower Mounttown Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin
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
- Reimbursement of expenses
- Insurance cover
- Ongoing training opportunities
Age restrictions:
Over 21
Is this opportunity suitable for groups/teams of volunteers?
No
Benefits you will receive as a volunteer
Simply by giving of your time you will make a difference in a vulnerable child’s life and will be helping us to achieve our vision – an Ireland where childhood is valued and all children and young people are cherished equally.
Getting there
Dart, buses 7, 111, 46A 63 & 75
