Volunteer

Description

Would you like to illustrate a story written by children?

Fighting Words runs workshops on weekday mornings for primary school classes led by teams of volunteer writing mentors – and the story illustrator is a very important role! They work with a class of primary school students who produce a book together (well, mostly together – everyone finishes it separately). 

School workshops with primary school children (first to sixth class) take place on weekday mornings, 10am-12pm. Working together with the help of the Fighting Words team, the class writes an original story which they see being projected up onto a big screen as they write during the first half of the workshop.  The children decide on the characters and plot and write the story together sentence by sentence, editing as they go. 

The story illustrator illustrates the story as it is being written – a cover and 1-2 illustrations included in the text.

No formal art training is required. We are looking for people who like to draw and enjoy working with children.

Workshops take place at our centres in Dublin city centre, Bray, Cork, Galway and Limerick.

Story Illustrators can take part in workshops in person or remotely, so you can illustrate no matter where you are!

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:

Story Illustrators provide 1-2 illustrations for stories written by primary school children. They also provide guidance and advice to children for their own drawings.

Training and support are provided. Story illustrators are welcome to use paper and marker/crayon/pencil or digital drawing software.

Skills required for this role:

Confidence in your drawing ability but professional qualifications are not required.

 An interest in working with children in a creative environment

Details of time commitment needed for role:
Weekday mornings, Monday to Thursday, from 9.45am to 12.15pm. Fighting Words volunteers choose the days they come in using our online calendar, so there's no minimum commitment or required day once you register with us. We do ask that all illustrators attend one workshop per term.

Minimum time commitment per week:
3 hour p/week

Additional screening required for this role:
Prospective volunteers are require to complete the Fighting Words volunteer application form, attend an informal interview, complete a two-hour training session. All volunteers are subject to Garda vetting but don't worry! Fighting Words staff will provide the forms and assistance with the vetting process.