Virtual volunteering

 

Although I am originally from Cork, I have been living in the Liberties for the last 8 years.

I have been saying for years that I would like to get involved in an organisation as a volunteer. Time passed and I did nothing about it until a few months ago. I heard about the Dublin City South Volunteer Centre through a friend and decided to pop in to their office at 76 Thomas Street to register my details and to have a chat with one of the centre’s support officers. This started me on the path to finding a position as a volunteer. I was then able to look for a suitable position via the website www.volunteerdublincitysouth.ie.

 

Finding a position to suit me was not difficult. I travel a bit for work so I could not commit to regular hours in a particular location. There are lots of opportunities available for those with time during the day or in the evening, as well as once-off events to help out with. I found an organisation called Siel Bleu which has recently been set up in Ireland and which was looking for someone to help with writing newsletter articles, presentations, press releases etc. The work could be done from home. This suits me perfectly as I have free time most evenings and it is work that I could also commit to while traveling for work! I use a laptop quite a lot for my work so my skills with word-processing and presentations would also come in handy!

 

Siel Bleu is a non-profit organisation that began in France in 1997. It provides a range of adapted physical activity-based services aimed at improving the health and well-being of senior citizens. Siel Bleu’s main aim as an organisation is to “add years to life and life to years”. Working with older and vulnerable people to improve quality of life and increase independence through preventative care is the main activity. All services are adapted to individuals’ needs and abilities and take place in community, home and care settings.

 

So, the main task at the moment is raising awareness of Siel Bleu in Ireland. I have written my first article and am hoping to have that published in an appropriate newsletter soon. The people that I am in contact with from Siel Bleu are extremely nice and are grateful for any help that I can provide. They are also very supportive in terms of giving me direction and information. I am very new to volunteering and to Siel Bleu so this support is invaluable to me! I have only just started my volunteer work so it is still early days but my experience has been overwhelmingly positive so far. I am delighted that I registered and that I found a suitable volunteering position. I am also excited about contributing to something that is outside my normal social and work life.

 

To anyone who is thinking about volunteering I would encourage you to contact the Dublin City South Volunteer Centre at 76 Thomas Street. The support officers are friendly and will help you to find a position that will suit your skills and the time you can commit to volunteering! Good Luck!

 

This article also appeared in The Liberty newspaper in May. www.theliberty.ie