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.

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.

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.

Organisations with Volunteering Opportunities
A-Z Children’s Charity
Camara
Eil Intercultural Learning
Friends of the Elderly
Focus Ireland
Sunbeam House Services
Friends of the Elderly
Gorta
Habitat for Humanity
Haven
i-to-i Ireland
Irish Cancer Society
Medecins San Frontieres
UCD New ERA
UCD Volunteers Overseas
Our Lady’s Hospice
Progressio Ireland
Skillshare International
Special Olympics Ireland
Suas
Viatores Christi
Voluntary Service International (VSI)
VSO

Further information

click here for list of volunteer centres in Ireland

http://www.volunteer.ie/Volunteer-Centres-In-Ireland.html

Books relating to Voluntary Work in the Careers Information Library

Working For a Better World – A Guide to Volunteering in Global Development, Comhlamh

Worldwide Volunteering, How To Books

International Voluntary Work, Victoria Pybus

Also follow-up research for volunteering abroad programmes online e.g. www.volunteersdirect.co.za

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