• Education at all levels from preschool to adult education
  • English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Teaching
  • Childcare, Youth, or Community Work
  • Sign Language, working with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
  • Physical Education and Coaching
  • Creative Arts, Crafts, Photography or Music
  • Leadership, Project Management, Funding Grant and Proposal Writing
  • Business, Entrepreneurship, Book-Keeping or Governance
  • Administration, Office Work, Proof-Reading and IT
  • DIY, Maintenance, Landscaping and Gardening

This list is not exhaustive and the main qualities for volunteering are :

  • Patience
  • Flexibility
  • Initiative

If any of this sounds like you, please get in touch.

Placements range between 4 – 12 weeks and most are available all year round.

We are flexible and aim to work with our volunteers to arrange placements at times that suit them while considering the needs of the projects they will be working on. 

Please contact us about current opportunities.

VLM is keen to support your volunteering journey to make it as impactful as possible for both you and the project.

We provide –

  • Pre-departure training
  • Support while you are on the volunteer placement
  • ‘Coming Home’ support to help settle back into life on your return to Ireland
  • VLM Alumni program with opportunities to engage in active citizenship and the continuing work of VLM

Volunteers with VLM are asked to make a contribution of €1990 – €2990 to cover their costs. This is a standard requirement with almost all overseas volunteering organizations offering shorter-term placements. VLM is a not-for-profit organization, so these contributions are essential to continue our support to those in some of the poorest communities in the world. 

This includes –

  • a donation to your host community
  • your flights
  • internal transport including airport meet and greet
  • your own room in secure accommodation plus all meals
  • comprehensive health and travel insurance
  • pre-departure training and support
  • debriefing upon return
  • discounts on future placements with VLM
  • a contribution to the sustainability of VLM as an organization

All of the above are arranged for you by VLM ahead of your departure. 

STEP 1: Fill in an application form – (Download VLM Application Form 2023)

STEP 2: Interview

Once we receive your application form, we will contact you and arrange an informal chat to give you an idea of the kind of placements that we could offer to you – given your skills, the time of year you wish to travel, and any other preferences you may have. Provided you are still interested in volunteering with VLM this would then be followed by an interview.

STEP 3: Funding

You can pay to fund your contribution to your volunteer placement or fundraise for it – we recommend a combination of both. 

Many potential volunteers are often discouraged by the idea of fundraising. However, we always support our volunteers with fundraising tips and know-how, funding sources, and fundraising materials. From experience, most of our volunteers have managed to raise their target. Many have been surprised by where they could access funding and by how generous people can be.

STEP 4: Pre-Departure Training

VLM training gives a detailed insight into the work of our partners in the field, the nuances of the VLM volunteer role, and places volunteering within the wider context of education for sustainable development. Pre-departure training can be facilitated for individuals or groups. We aim to be flexible with this as it is essential that all volunteers are properly briefed and trained before departure. Participants also receive a Volunteer Handbook to aid their preparation and take to their destination with them, if they wish. 

VLM volunteers are welcomed from all backgrounds, whether faith is a motivation or not. We believe that once someone is willing to commit to working with the Daughters of Charity or the Vincentian Fathers and is ready to serve those in need with dignity and respect, they are already living the spirit of this mission.

Volunteers are not obliged to be expected to attend religious services by our hosts while on placement. However, it is respectful to join the community in worship on occasion.

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