Volunteer

Description

The Street Outreach Program, commonly referred to as the Soup Run, is our most popular activity and arguably our most effective.

Four nights a week, groups of 4/5 students take to the streets of Dublin armed with flasks, food, clothes and toiletries. The students walk the streets looking for people who might need assistance, offering whatever is in their boxes as well as a chat.

It is also an opportunity to provide reliable information and link people with services that might be of help to them. This programme obviously assists the homeless in the practical sense, providing food and essentials, but the priority is really to engage with these people and talk to them, should they so wish. Having people walk past and ignore you all day can take a toll on your self-esteem, so often engaging with these people and offering a chat can provide much needed recognition and some basic validation and respect.

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:

On a night of Street Outreach:

• Students meet at the Spire at 7.30pm, and conduct a briefing detailing the routes of the night, and introducing each other to new volunteers.
• Students, with their activity leaders, then go to the shops to collect supplies for the night.
• Students convene at the SVP National Office, where they prepare boxes of food, hygiene products, and flasks of hot water, and soup for the night.
• Students then divide into two groups, taking different routes through the inner city.
• Following Street Outreach, the groups reconvene for a debrief in the evening.

Skills required for this role:

If you love meeting new people and getting involved in volunteering, you will love Street Outreach! We take people from all backgrounds and everyone finds something to get involved in!

Details of time commitment needed for role:
As much time as you feel comfortable. Once a week where possible but any support is heavily appreciated, and is appreciated by our service users.

Minimum time commitment per week:
1 hour p/week

Additional screening required for this role:
Garda Vetting, and an evening training.