Volunteer

Description

Failte Cork: A Higher Education Community Sponsorship Group (CSG) was established in 2024 to support students from a refugee background who have been awarded scholarships to undertake postgraduate studies in University College Cork. The scholarship programme started as a result of a pilot programme, EU Passworld, and currently is open to refugees living in Uganda. Fáilte Cork is the proverbial 'village' to support the students. 

We are a group of community members and UCC staff and students, working with NASC, the United Nations Human Rights Commission, the UCC Students' Union, UCC University of Sanctuary Working Group, and the UCC Vice President Global Engagement to support the students.

Our aim is to help these students to succeed in their academic programme and to integrate into the social and cultural life of the city so they can find employment after their studies and make a positive contribution to Irish society and become permanent residents if they so wish. We fundraise to ensure that the students can cover their basic living expenses during the duration of their studies.

The role of the volunteer varies greatly depending on what you're interested in getting involved with e.g., fundraising, raising awarness, public relations, adminstration, and social media. See below for more info on what this volunteer role may look like for you. 

If you are interested in learning more, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us. If you know of someone else that may be interested, please do share this with them. 

Is training provided?: Yes

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

The role of the volunteer varies greatly depending on what you're interested in getting involved in. For example, you might be more interested in the administrative side of the group, in social media, in fundraising. 

Some sample tasks are outlined below. 

- Social media: content creation and management. 

- Fundraising: we need to raise much needed funds to support the student/s. You might develop ideas for fundraising, organise a fundraising event, coordinate a fundraising campaign. 

- Awareness: raising awareness of the work Fáilte Cork do is very important. You might get involved in a podcast, develop a campaign, or organise an event. 

- Student support: you might connect in with the student/s, go for a coffee or invite them to an activity. 

Volunteering is not just about what you give, but what you get, and we hope that through volunteering with Fáílte Cork, you will develop your skillset and gain confidence in doing so. 

Skills required for this role:

No specific skills are required, only a willingness to learn and get involved! If you have any specific skills that you may be interested in sharing with the group, it would be very welcomed. 

Details of time commitment needed for role:
Tme committment for the role varies week on week. Ideally we would ask for an hour a week on average. When we run events or during busy periods e.g., in preparation for the arrival of new student/s, more hours may be required. There are group meetings once a month, and subgroup meetings more often should you wish to get involved in any of the subgroups e.g., fundraising. We would love for you to give as much time as you want/are able but recognise and understand that studies are your priority, and your boundaries around that will be fully respected.

Minimum time commitment per week:
1 hour p/week

Additional screening required for this role:
We would like to meet with you to learn more about you, share more about Fáilte Cork, and discuss what volunteering may look like for you. Do not think of this as an interview, it is very informal and may take place over coffee!