Volunteer

Description

The Kinia Reading Buddy Programme connects student volunteers with primary school children to support their literacy and confidence through one-to-one reading sessions. Volunteers are paired with a child and meet weekly (online or in person, depending on the programme format) to read together, build comprehension skills, and encourage a positive attitude toward learning.

This flexible and rewarding opportunity allows volunteers to make a meaningful impact while developing valuable skills in communication, mentoring, and leadership. All resources and guidance are provided, and no prior teaching experience is required — just enthusiasm, commitment, and a love of reading.

By becoming a Reading Buddy, you can help inspire a lifelong love of books and learning in a young person.

Is training provided?:Yes

Please note that Garda Vetting is required for this position which will be processed with you after you apply.

Tasks that the volunteer(s) will be expected to undertake:

Reading Buddy offers a rewarding opportunity to support a young child’s literacy journey by reading together one-to-one for just 60 minutes a week over 8 weeks – either in-person or online.

The 30 minutes sessions are a space for the student to read aloud to their Reading Buddy, who helps them through difficult words or sentences, while encouraging and praising them for their reading.

They discuss what’s happening in the book, the student’s favourite parts and what they think will happen next.

This all helps to build a positive relationship, and it develops the student’s comprehension skills and increases their confidence in their own ability.

Benefits of Volunteering:

• Volunteer experience looks great on a C.V. Also, some of the work you do could lead to a job doing similar work.

• Improve Your Health and Self-Esteem. Volunteering to help others has been shown to reduce stress, give you hope, and boost your self-esteem.

• Meet Real Community Needs. Helping people learn to read, or get basic food, clothing, shelter or furniture makes a huge difference! Whether the project is planting a tree or tutoring children, the community will look and feel better.

• Gain Entrance to College. Colleges and universities today are looking for applicants who have more than high grades. They are looking for well-rounded people who have volunteered to make a difference in their communities.

• Meet New People and Establish Friends, Connections, and References. When you work alongside others, you really get to know them and become friends with them! Also, adults at organisations can connect you to great opportunities and provide you with a reference for a job or college.

• Gain New Skills and Develop Talents. Whether you enjoy working with computers, children, or seniors, any interest you have can be developed through volunteering.

• Spread Positive Energy! Just like random acts of kindness, when you volunteer, your energy and efforts affect the whole community.

• Make the World a Better Place. If you see problems in your community that you feel need addressing, do something about them. By volunteering, you do make a difference and help make the world a better place.

• Personal Growth. By taking on new tasks you will learn more about both people and life.

• It’s Fun! Volunteering can be really enjoyable!

Details of time commitment needed for role:
Volunteers deliver two 30-minute sessions per week during the school term. The programme runs three times per year: Spring: Late January to mid-March Summer: Early May to mid-June Autumn: Late October to mid-December Sessions take place between 9:30am and 2:30pm, with a wide range of timeslots available each term.

Minimum time commitment per week:
1 hour p/week

Sustainable Development Goal:

Hei:
ATU - DONEGAL, ATU - GALWAY, ATU - MAYO, ATU - SLIGO, ATU - ST ANGELAS, DUBLIN CITY UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK, UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN, UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY, UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK