Volunteering

Volunteering with Coventry Irish Society

Coventry Irish Society volunteers carry out important and valuable work across the City on a regular basis. The hard work of our volunteers is much appreciated by staff, clients and members of Coventry Irish Society, however we are always keen to involve new volunteers.

Interested in volunteering?

Volunteering with Coventry Irish Society offers an opportunity to use skills and experience you may already have, to develop skills in new areas and to become part of a friendly and sociable team of volunteers, while supporting the local Irish community.

The time and commitment given is different for each volunteer and we encourage flexible roles. Although some opportunities do require a regular commitment, others mean you can volunteer as often, or a little, as suits you and your own personal circumstances.

Volunteering Opportunities

Opportunities at the moment include:

• Befriending – visiting a client on a regular basis, either in their own home or a care home. A social group is also planned to run alongside the befriending programme
• One off events – ensuring events Coventry Irish Society is involved in run smoothly and safely, handing out leaflets / flyers, promoting the work of CIS to the public, setting up stalls etc. Past events have included the Positive Images Festival, Hillfields Gala Day, Saint Patrick’s celebrations and day trips
• Regular events such as coffee mornings – setting up the room, serving refreshments, socialising with the service users
• Lunch club – setting up the room, serving food, raffle etc.
• Leaflet delivery

General volunteer training and support

All new volunteers are offered an induction training session, followed by regular informal team and one to one meetings. Further optional training is also available in areas such as first aid, computer skills, numeracy and literacy and food hygiene (please note, there may be a cost for additional training courses)

Befriending Training

Coventry Irish Society is also working in partnership with the Mentoring and Befriending Foundation to offer all befriending volunteers a free in depth training course, ensuring the safety of both the volunteer and client as well make sure that the volunteer and client get the maximum benefit and enjoyment from the service This course covers areas such as:
The roles and responsibilities of the befriender Personal safety for both the befriender and service user Interpersonal skills How to deal with emergency situations How to ensure both the client and befriender enjoy and benefit from visits

Other benefits of volunteering

Travel and general out of pocket expenses covered
The opportunity to meet other volunteers and members and take part in various social events Ongoing support
Supporting members of the local community, in particular older, isolated or vulnerable people
An opportunity to try a new role

Application process

Following the completion of an application form, you will be invited for an informal discussion with the Volunteer Coordinator to find the most suitable role before taking part in an induction session and if necessary, further training. You will then be ready to begin your new role as a Coventry Irish Society Volunteer*
*Please note, this is dependent on satisfactory references and CRB check

How to apply

For further information on any volunteering opportunities or to apply, please contact Kerrie Day, Volunteer Coordinator