The Southside Project in Drogheda have been doing great work with and for the young people of the area for years and it has not gone unnoticed.
Yesterday (Thursday April 6) their parent organisation, Youth Work Ireland, chose the Southside Youth Project clubhouse in Rowan Heights for the national launch of a new training pack for volunteers. Volunteers were also awarded special “Local Hero” certificates of appreciation.
Volunteering, particularly with young people, is a key resource for society promoting solidarity and better mental health according to Ireland’s largest youth organisation.
Leading people in the youth field emphasised the key role that volunteering with and by young people plays in difficult times such as during Covid and the cost-of-living crisis.
Speaking at the launch the CEO of Youth Work Ireland, Patrick Burke, said “Volunteerism is at the heart of Youth Work Ireland’s work and identity. The role of the volunteer is central to the work of Member Youth Services and central to our club work.
“This pack is aimed at those who have responsibility for the recruitment, training, and support of Youth Work Ireland Club Volunteers. The purpose of the pack is to provide an opportunity for volunteers to consider their motivation for volunteering and to gain information and knowledge to enhance their volunteering journey. It will help to ensure a standardised and consistent approach to volunteer training across the organisation.”
“…This pack, issued on behalf of our 20 Member Youth Services, restates our commitment to volunteerism. This pack seeks to define the rights of volunteers and to describe the supports they can expect to receive during their time in Youth Work Ireland. In seeking to promote the highest possible standards of practice in volunteer management it is intended to provide practical guidance to Member Youth Services regarding its implementation.”
Louise Monaghan one of the authors of the pack, said “The purpose of this training pack is to provide an opportunity for volunteers to consider their motivation for volunteering, better understand what’s involved and gain information and knowledge, including where they can access support. Volunteers who are invested in are more likely to engage in volunteering for longer.”
Olive Ring the other author said “The pack has been designed to be flexible and easy to use. It is divided into six core sessions, each of which must be covered. Each session contains an overall aim, learning objectives, suggested content with a variety of methodologies (for both online and in person delivery) and a key learning outcome which must be met. Trainers can use their discretion as to how best to meet the key learning outcomes.”
This launch takes place during Youth Work Ireland Week where local youth services celebrate the contribution and impact made by volunteers in youth work.
Youth Work Ireland have taken inspiration from their Youth Club Reinvigoration Business Plan and are celebrating and recognising the importance of local volunteers (referred to as ‘local heroes’) to the surviving and thriving of community-based youth work. Member Youth Services will recognise and thank these local heroes for the time they give to support youth services and young people.
