Volunteering opportunities for everyone
Volunteer with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVP) and become part of the largest and oldest voluntary charitable organisation in Ireland. Our greatest strength is our volunteers/Members!
You know the issues in your community and can address immediate needs as well as helping families and individuals, young and old, move towards self-sufficiency and equal opportunity through friendship and support.
Offering a little help at the right time can give people hope for the future. Sharing your time and your skills can change lives forever.
Overseas Police Clearance
Please Note: For certain roles which require Garda Vetting or Access NI (e.g. Visitation or Child and Family Services), individuals who have lived outside the island of Ireland for 6 or more continuous months since the age of 16 years are required to submit an original police certificate(s) from the country or countries of residence (with authenticated translation where necessary).
A helping hand
The purpose of this role is to provide direct support to those who request assistance from the Society. Visit people in their homes with another SVP member to offer support, guidance, and friendship. The support provided by Members/Volunteers can be extremely heartening for people who are struggling and can offer hope to them and their families.
Click Here for more details.
SVP’s charity shops not only raise essential funds but also help spread awareness of our work.
Your Role as a Volunteer will be to carry out or assist in general store duties and to ensure customers are priority at all times through the delivery of exceptional customer service. Working as a part of a team of volunteers under the guidance of the Shop Manager or Senior Volunteer you will have the opportunity to be involved in various tasks and responsibilities.
Sustainability is on the top of our Vincent’s Retail strategy and each volunteer is part of helping us in extending the life and use of every ‘fit for purpose’ donation.
If you are volunteering as part of a Transition Year program in 2nd level education please contact your local Vincent's shop directly to enquire about volunteering and they will be happy to assist you with your query.
SVP provides a variety of support services to children, families, adults and older people throughout the country. Some of these services include childcare, youth clubs, community resource centres, daycare centres for older people and Meals on Wheels services.
Volunteer roles vary from management committee members, Meals on Wheels drivers, activity support roles for children or adult services etc.
If you are looking to share your skills, and passions and give back to your community, please read more about the available roles in your regions below.
Recruitment Process
1. Once you find a role and location suitable for you, please fill in the expression of interest form.
2. You will then receive a link to complete the full application form.
3. One of our members will be in touch with you to organise a meeting for an opportunity to learn more about the service and the volunteer role and to make sure this is the right role for you.
Once all are happy to proceed with the volunteer role, we will then;
4. Complete Garda Vetting (and International Police Clearance where applicable)
5. Contact your references
6. Organise training.
Training and Support
1. To SVP Induction Training – 3 online modules
2. Local Induction- In-person training.
3. You will receive a Volunteer Handbook with all you need to know.
4. Safeguarding training – Relevant to your role.
5. Ongoing support and training as required
Benefits of Volunteering
- Develop confidence, patience, adaptability, leadership, communication, and much more.
- An opportunity to develop friendships and meaningful relationships with like-minded peers.
- Contribute positively to the lives of others in our community
Available Roles
East Region
Donnybrook Youth Club - Volunteer Activity Leaders - working with children 7 years to 18 years old.
Click Here for more details.
Newbridge Day Care Centre – Meals on Wheels Driver.
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Newbridge Day Care Centre – Activities Leaders - Special Skills, music, arts, drama, pottery, gardening, etc.
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St Conleths Day Care Centre, Kildare – Meals on Wheels Driver.
Click Here for more details.
St Conleths Day Care Centre, Kildare – Activities Leaders - Special Skills, cooking, music, arts, drama, pottery etc.
Click Here for more details.
South East Region
St Jospeh's Childcare, Waterford City - Activities Leaders - Special Skills, cooking, music, arts, drama, pottery etc.
Click Here for more details.
South West Region
Castleisland Family Resource Centre, Kerry - Literacy Assistants - after-school tutors with an emphasis on literacy for school-age children.
Click Here for more details.
Listowel Meals on Wheels, Kerry – Meals on Wheels Driver.
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Lough Meals on Wheels, Cork – Meals on Wheels Driver.
Click Here for more details.
Mid West Region
Limerick Drop in Centre - Centre Volunteers – Assisting with welcoming our service users and helping at the coffee shop.
Click Here for more details.
West Region
Ballina Resource Centre, Mayo - After School Tutors - for primary and secondary school children.
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Ballina Resource Centre, Mayo - Parents Group - Irish Language Volunteer, to help parents with their Irish language skills, so parents can support their children with homework, reading etc.
Click Here for more details.
Noth West Region
Bundoran Ozanam House Residential Unit, Donegal – Meals on Wheels Driver.
Click Here for more details.
Social Housing
At SVP, we proudly deliver and manage sustainable social housing in Ireland. We're eager to hear from potential volunteers experienced in architecture, engineering, surveying, Health and Safety, social care, business, legal, and IT.
Want to volunteer with Home Visitation?
It's easy to get started
We would be delighted to hear from you, and we hope the summary below is a useful guide to the application process..
Step 2
You’ll automatically receive and email with the form, please complete it within 30 days.
Step 3
You'll then be notified via email about the next steps, including how to complete Garda Vetting.
Step 4
Someone from SVP will be in touch to discuss where exactly you would like to volunteer.
Step 5
Once the Garda Vetting is complete, you will be provided with access to our online training modules, which provide insight into the history and structure of SVP. Its takes approximately 2 hours to complete and does not have to be done in one sitting.
Step 6
Once you complete the online modules, you can register and attend one of our interactive training sessions with other applicants, which will be facilitated by experienced Members.
Step 7
You'll then be ready to join your Conference and start assisting people in need!
Volunteer stories
Frequently asked questions
The SVP is a lay Christian Organisation. Membership is open to anyone who respects the ethos and rule of the Society. You do not need to be a Christian in order to join the SVP.
The National Office, Special Works Managers and Shared Services work in partnership with the National Management Council to further the mission vision and goals of the S.V.P. adding value to the volunteer membership through the resources and expertise of paid staff.
Our focus is on practical approach to dealing with poverty, alleviating its effects on individuals and families through working primarily in person-to-person contact by a unique system of family visitation and seeking to achieve social justice and equality of opportunity for all citizens. In addition to providing direct assistance to those in need, caring for the homeless, providing social housing, operating holiday homes and other social support activities, the Society promotes community self-sufficiency, enabling people to help themselves.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is the largest, voluntary, charitable organisation in Ireland. Its membership of over 10,000 Volunteers throughout the country offer friendship and support to individuals and families living with poverty to achieve self-sufficiency while, working for social justice.
A genuine concern for those in our community who are in need and a willingness to do something about it, whilst preserving total confidentially. Patience, kindness and compassion are important.
