Glencree recruits volunteers for a period of 1 year from the beginning of September to the end of August each year. Applications for September 2010 are now closed. We will start with the recruiting process for September 2011 in January 2011.
The Volunteer Role at Glencree
Volunteers are an important part of life at the Glencree Centre. The Volunteer Programme provides Glencree with much needed support to run the Centre. In return, Glencree offers volunteers learning opportunities that will equip them with experiences and skills on their return home. The team of volunteers live, work and learn together as a community. Volunteers come from all over the world and they bring unique cultures and experiences to Glencree. This provides a diverse and intercultural atmosphere which is important in reconciliation work.
The team work of staff and volunteers allows us to offer our visitors and programme participants the best services possible. Volunteers add value to the work of Glencree through their commitment and hard work. Because they live on-site at Glencree, they provide a welcoming atmosphere that is so important to the work we do. Volunteers can also learn from the programmes they are assigned to and get to know the participants in the time they are here.
Volunteer Work
Volunteers at Glencree work in 5 areas:
- Housekeeping.
- Kitchen.
- Linking with Client Groups.
- Glencree Programmes.
- Driving.
Volunteers rotate through these duty areas on a 2 week rota; 4 days off are also included in this 2 week period.
Flexibility is required as volunteers may be asked to do some light maintenance, reception/admin work and various other duties as needed. Driving is included in the daily schedule and it is essential that volunteers possess a full driving licence. While volunteers will be rostered on specific areas, they may be requested to assist in other areas where necessary.
Volunteering at Glencree is a combination of service and learning. The General Duties of Kitchen and Housekeeping contribute to 80% of the working time of Volunteers. Linking, Programme & Learning contribute to 20% of the working time of Volunteers. Potential Volunteers should note that the work at Glencree involves long hours in the areas of Kitchen and Housekeeping, although there will be some opportunities to work with groups and Programmes.
Working hours
A work week consists of approximately forty hours work which includes training. Working hours are variable according to the needs of the Centre. Evening and weekend work is also required.
Qualifications / Requirements Specific to this Role
No formal qualifications are required. However the following are desirable:
- Experience or an interest in housekeeping and kitchen work.
- Experience or an interest in working with, and speaking to groups of different ages, including those in their teenage years.
- Good organisational skills and ability to work on own initiative.
- Willing to work closely with people from different backgrounds and cultures.
- A commitment to the ethos of Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation and to work within the values, policies and procedures of the organisation
- A full clean driver’s licence.
- A basic understanding of English is desirable as communicating with groups is a large part of the role. However, English lessons are available for those who require them.
- Of course an interest in the work of the Centre is a plus!
Accommodation
Full board and accommodation in shared twin-bedded rooms is provided.
The Wicklow Wing – Volunteer Quarters |
2005/6 Volunteers relaxing in the
Wicklow Wing sitting room |
Allowance
A subsistence allowance of €175.00 per month to cover basic needs is provided.
Group discussion with Volunteers 2005/6 |
Volunteer Support
Glencree aims to provide support to volunteers through weekly meetings with the Volunteer coordinator and Operations director, and mentors are available if requested.
The skills and knowledge gained on peace building
and reconciliation programmes are the real benefit.
The volunteers at Glencree also have the opportunity to
live and work together in a community of people from
many different countries and cultures. An insight into
Irish culture and Irish conflict, together with learning
English is an added benefit for International volunteers.
There may also be an opportunity to attend courses at the
centre. There is an opportunity to meet with the many
interesting visitors and groups that flow through the centre from various parts of the world.
There is a possibility of an educational trip to Belfast and the North to learn more about the Irish conflict and meet some politicians as part of the Volunteer Experience. We can also arrange a Volunteer Exchange with Corrymeela (our sister Peace Centre in the North) if this is something the volunteer is interested in doing. We also endeavour to arrange a few day trips to interesting places in Ireland from time to time. E.g. The Guinness Storehouse, museums etc.
View from the Wicklow Wing of
Sugarloaf Mountain. |
Location
Glencree is located in the beautiful Wicklow Mountains.
It is important to note that although we are only
30 minutes drive from Bray (on the outskirts of Dublin)
and 1 hour from Dublin city centre, the area is remote
and not accessible by public transport. However,
Glencree provides a daily transport service to and from
Bray each morning and evening. From Bray it is possible
to get a train into Dublin City Centre.
Potential volunteers should give careful consideration
to this fact, as living at a relatively remote location does not appeal to everybody.
Length of Stay
We ask long term volunteers commit to a year of service at Glencree, generally a full year from the beginning of September to the end of August. We can only take short term volunteers if they are living in the area and accommodation is not required.
Apply
If you would like to become a Volunteer, click here for an application form.
For more information please contact Nicky Butler at nicky.butler@glencree.ie or call her at +35312829711.
You must be at least aged 18 years old to volunteer. Applicants will be required to provide criminal background checking documentation from their country.
Your Application Form should be signed and sent to:
Nicky Butler
Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation
Glencree
Co. Wicklow
Ireland
Please feel free to contact Nicky on +353 1 2829711 if you have any questions on volunteering or the application process.
Former Volunteers
We would like to thank all those who have been part of Glencree’s Volunteer Programme. This is a brave group of people who donate their valuable time, ideas, creativity to Glencree, and usually live up here on the mountain for one year.
We would like to try and organise a reunion next year, if anyone is interested or has any suggestions, please contact Nicky Butler at nicky.butler@glencree.ie
Brendan Crowley (1936-2009), pictured below, was the longest serving volunteer at Glencree and passed away in February 2009. He was an important part of the Glencree community and is dearly missed. Read our tribute to him here. Also read more about the impact Brendan had on our lives on the Facebook tribute page http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=47513484493. If you met Brendan during your time at Glencree, please feel free to add your own memories.
This page was set up with the help of Hazel Keiley, who passed away on 29 November 2009 after a short illness. Her generosity towards Glencree was greatly appreciated. Her late sister Deirdre Coats served as a volunteer in the early days of Glencree’s work, an experience which greatly impacted her life. May they rest in peace. |
