Ireland is a wonderful country; it is safe, friendly, English speaking, rich in heritage, history and culture. From vibrant, exciting cities to spectacular countryside – it’s a magical place to visit. It’s also a wonderful place to stay and immerse yourself doing meaningful volunteer work.

We work with different charity shops around the country including in Clonmel and other small towns across the country. To take the example of one charity shop in Clonmel: This charity shop is managed by one of the biggest voluntary charitable organisation in Ireland. This charity shop is located in Clonmel, the largest town in the County of Tipperary. The project has two locations in the town: a charity shop based on the main street and a sorting office where donations are sorted. Nearby the sorting office, there is also a furniture store, a bookshop and a bric-a-brac, all run by the charity. Volunteers can help in a number of areas in the two locations.

The income from the charity shop is the main source of revenue for a charity that visits and provides friendship and financial support to people living in poverty in the region. The work of this charity ensures that everyone can live with dignity. The charity depends on the time contributed by dedicated local volunteers. 

Volunteer Work

Volunteers work from 9:30am to 4:30pm approximately each day and have 2 consecutive days off per which will usually be Saturday and Sunday. Volunteers generally share their time between the shop and the sorting area. Volunteer work depends on volunteer’s interest and the needs of the project.  Working in the sorting office can be “messy” work, e.g. moving furniture or sorting books or bags of donated clothes. Working in the shop front requires volunteers to be presentable to the public. Book sales are sometimes organised outside in summer in the centre of the town or at local events and festivals. Volunteers work alongside other local volunteers and are expected to be proactive on their placements and to use their initiative.

Volunteers can help in a number of areas:

In the shop:

• Providing sales assistance to customers
  
• Ensure goods are well displayed
  
• Keep the shop clean and tidy
  

In the sorting office

• Sorting donations into recycling and shop stock
  
• Repairing donations
  
• Steam cleaning shop stock clothing
  
• Moving, cleaning and restoring furniture
  
• Painting walls
  
• Sorting and displaying books for sale
  
• Sorting and displaying furniture

The project is supported by an employed coordinator but is primarily managed by a dedicated team of local volunteers who manage the activities of the sorting centre and shops in order to support their charitable work of home visitation and support for the poor in the local area.

Who are we looking for?

Volunteers are required to be adaptable, flexible people. The must be over 18 when the project starts. They will join a group of workers and local volunteers comprised of people from different backgrounds and different age group. Volunteers need to be able to partake in teamwork, but personal motivation, maturity and responsibility are also important. Any skills or experience with retail sales, particularly clothes or furniture is an advantage. Volunteers with an interest in DIY or an eye for interior design and decoration would be highly valued.

Volunteers joining the project should have at least an intermediate level of spoken English. This is a good project for participants to improve their English as they will be working side by side with other Irish volunteers.

Location

Diverse location around the country including:

Clonmel: Clonmel town is a busy town that provides shopping and various services for people of the surrounding rural area. It has a population of about 18,000 people. It is located 2 ½ hours from the capital city Dublin and 1 ½ hours from Cork city. Clonmel is well served by bus and train services. The town is nestled in the Comeragh Mountains with the Knockmealdown Mountains to the South and legendary Slievenamon to the East. Hillwalking and cycling are popular local activities. There is always something happening in Clonmel, with frequent theatre, concerts, live music, art exhibitions and festivals.

County Kerry: this is one of the most visited region in Ireland  with wonderful landscapes and natural wonders such as the Ring of Kerry, Killarney National or Dingle Peninsula.