About Focus Ireland: Challenging homelessness. Changing lives.
Focus Ireland works with people who are homeless or at risk of losing their homes across Ireland. We are driven by the fundamental belief that homelessness is wrong. Wrong because it is a failure of society that creates victims out of ordinary people and robs them of their potential. Wrong because it can be prevented, it can be solved but is allowed to continue and in doing so, undermines society. Focus Ireland’s strategy outlines that the real solutions to this crisis lie in preventing people from becoming homeless in the first place and ensuring that they have helped to stay in their home once they have found one.
What's Involved
Education Matters Programme:
Education is crucial for children’s self-esteem and development. It is a proven route out of poverty- a path through which children can see what is possible for them and that can help them to reach their full potential. Education matters because it is intrinsically valuable, allowing children and young people to develop intellectually and socially. It also matters because, in Ireland, as in many other countries, education is a powerful predictor of adult life chances. Inequality in education means that some children do not reach their potential because their opportunities are limited before they begin.
Purpose of Volunteer Tutor role:
Provide One to One support on a once weekly basis to a young person aged between 12 and 18:
• One to Two subjects that are currently challenging
• Catch Up with missed schoolwork
• Homework in those subjects
• Study Skills
Commitment of Time:
Minimum time commitment: 12 - Week Period
Typical time commitment: A full academic year September - June
Hours required: 60 - 90 minutes per week of tuition and with additional time travelling to and from the relevant venue.
Volunteer Testimonial
"This role is a perfect match for me. I am struck by how this individual support really makes a difference in a young person's experience of education, how the relationship you build with them during the support can go a long way to build their self-esteem and help their confidence":
Joanna, Volunteer Tutor with Education Matters
What's required for this position
- A relevant third level teaching qualification
- Commitment to the Highest Level of Service
- Respect for Others
- Good awareness of Health and Safety
- Good working knowledge of at least two Leaving and Junior Certificate level subjects and/ or a Good working knowledge of the curriculum in the final year of Primary school
- Willingness to engage with young people who might at times present with a lack of motivation or challenging behaviour.
Trainee teachers may also apply.
To Apply
Visit our website to download an application form
Need to know more?
For further information, contact the Education Matters Coordinator on 086 8554347 or by email bernie.boyle@focusireland.ie
- Accountancy/ Finance
- Arts/ Music/ Drama
- Business/ HR/ Management
- Community Development/ Social work
- Education/ Training
- Multi-lingual/ Multi-culturalism
- Personable Skills
- Youth/ Childcare
Level of English required for this role:
Fluent English
Times and commitment required for this role
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Minimum time commitment: 3 months
Hours required: 2hrs Weekly
Other Details
Location of volunteering opportunity:
Focus Ireland Head Offices, 9/12 High Street, Christchurch, Dublin 2
Other location details:
Focus Ireland sources and organises the venue. It is typically: a space or room in a library, a youth project or a community centre
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 18
Benefits you will receive as a volunteer
Contributing to the work of preventing homelessness in Ireland. Support, supervision and training will be provided.
