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Volunteering Options
Lots of cool info on volunteering abroad.
Volunteering Options is a programme run by the Irish organisation Comhlámh. It was set up in 2004 to offer Irish people the opportunity to learn about overseas volunteering. It also aims to offer comprehensive information and practice guidelines to organisations that send volunteers aboard.
Volunteering Options aims to create a positive experience of volunteering for everyone involved; the volunteers, host families, sending organisations and the placement community.
It also offers many support services for volunteers such as:
There is absolutely tons of other cool stuff on their website too:
The Volunteer Charter.This sets out seven principles of responsible international volunteering. It also includes a list of questions you should ask yourself before volunteering.
Code of Good Practice. This one is for the sending organisations. It sets out their responsibilities with regards to arranging volunteer placements.
Host Projects. This offers info on the impact of volunteering on host organisations and their wider communities. You can also download a copy of Comhlámh’s detailed research project.
Working with Host Families.
Tips for going abroad.
Adjusting to being home. Most people think a lot about the placement and going abroad, however returning home can be stressful and difficult for many people. It can be like a reverse cultrate shock really. Volunteering Options offers support on these matters.
If all of this sounds pretty interesting to you, and is making you consider volunteering, you might want to:
- Check out the Making a Decision page. Is volunteering right for you? Could you do similar work here in Ireland? Will you be comfortable being so far from home?
- Ask the hard questions before going on a placement.
- Have a gander at the information on going overseas and preparing for life in a foreign culture. Is it right for you?
- Check out the volunteer testimonials page for the stories of other former volunteers.
Volunteering Options
Web: www.volunteeringoptions.org
Email: info@volunteeringoptions.org
Phone: 01 478 3490
Volunteering Options has been developed as part of the Volunteering Options programme, which was set up by Comhlámh in 2004. Funded by Irish Aid, the programme was established in response to the growing interest among the Irish public in volunteering overseas in developing countries.
