Volunteering is of enormous value to society. It helps people fulfil their potential while contributing positively to social, economic or environmental change. People volunteer for many reasons. Some people want to gain work experience, acquire new skills and expand their network of contacts while others want to give back something to their community by donating professional skills etc.
While providing a valuable service to the community, volunteering is also a great way to explore career options. It also is a way to travel abroad and experience life in another country. See skills employers seek.
You can find extensive information on both long and short term volunteering opportunities in Ireland and Overseas in zone 6 (pink) 'Working Internationally' of the Careers Information Library.
Organisations with Volunteering Opportunities
Volunteering Ireland is the the National Volunteer Development Agency. It is an independent membership-based organisation that inspires, promotes, supports and facilitates voluntary activity in Ireland and underpins the work of Irish-based overseas development agencies that involve volunteers in their work.
Comhlamh Volunteering Options aims to develop best practice in the growing sector of overseas volunteering and to support volunteers in longer-term commitment to development.
Citizen's Information Board is the national support agency responsible for supporting the provision of information and advocacy on social services. It also provides a number of supports to the voluntary sector and has an online Directory of National Voluntary Organisations and other agencies.
SVP - St. vincent de Paul The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is the largest, voluntary, charitable organisation in Ireland.
Contact tel: 01-874 2894. Email: ozanamadmin@iol.ie
Barretstown Camp Barretstown is a residential camp - Volunteers, Chaperones and Interpreters stay on site during camp. Food and accommodation is provided. Volunteers must be 18 years of age or over
Suas Volunteering Dedicated to supporting education in the developing world by partnering sustainable community run educational projects.
Dance 4 Life for HIV and Aids Awareness Youth Sex Education Group.
Stepping Stone - helping people who have experienced homelessness.
The NCCPE providing ideas and inspiration for new volunteering projects and new ways of working
A-Z Children’s Charity Helping the most vulnerable children in Ugandan society
Camara is a volunteer organisation that uses technology to improve education in Africa
EIL Intercultural Learning is an Irish not for profit organisation which promotes intercultural learning through a range of cultural, educational and volunteering activities.
Friends of the Elderly where service to the elderly begins by being a friend: We are a volunteer based non-profit organization whose sole mission is to alleviate loneliness and isolation among the elderly
Focus Ireland aims to advance the right of people-out-of-home to live in a place they call home through quality services, research, and advocacy
Sunbeam House Services Services for people with intellectual disabilities
Gorta Gorta's mission is to work for a world free from the injustices of chronic hunger, poverty and disease, having special regard for the plight of children and the empowerment of women
Habitat for Humanity Habitat for Humanity Ireland sends volunteers on short term placements to help local families build homes in over 100 countries
Haven is an Irish non-governmental, non-political, non-religious organisation working to build sustainable communities, through the provision of housing, and emergency relief and by implementing community development programmes in Haiti
i-to-i Ireland Gap year travel, volunteer abroad opportunities, TEFL Courses, work abroad as well as Alternative spring breaks and Internships overseas
The Irish Cancer Society is the national charity dedicated to preventing cancer, saving lives from cancer and improving the quality of life
Medecins San Frontieres MSF is an independent humanitarian medical aid agency committed to two objectives: providing medical aid wherever needed, regardless of race, religion, politics or sex
UCD New ERA UCD New ERA facilitates students who have the ability to benefit and succeed in higher education to access reserved places in UCD
UCD Volunteers Overseas Volunteers are also actively involved in fundraising, awareness raising and motivating students to get involved in voluntary work overseas
UCD Rove The purpose of UCD’s Recognition of Voluntary Engagement (Rove) awards programme is to acknowledge the voluntary contribution of UCD students to community life, both on and off campus. Any student who volunteered for a minimum of 10 hours in the calendar year is eligible to apply for this award
Our Lady’s Hospice offering respite, rehabilitation and reassurance
Progressio Ireland Progressio Ireland is an international development organisation working for sustainable development and the eradication of poverty
Skillshare International Works for sustainable development in Africa and Asia by sharing skills
Special Olympics Ireland A year round sports training and competition program for children and adults with a learning and/or intellectual disability
Viatores Christi is an Irish Catholic lay volunteer missionary association, founded in 1960, which recruits, trains and places people in areas of need
Voluntary Service International (VSI) is the Irish branch of Service Civil International, a worldwide peace movement that began in 1920
Volunteer Centres in Ireland for a comprehensive list of centres located in each county
Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) is a leading development charity that sends volunteers to work abroad with full financial support.
Azafady is a UK charity and NGO which works in response to local commnuities expressing needs on sustainable development projects in Madagascar