Overview

Belong To’s vision is for an Ireland where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) young people are equal, safe, and valued in the diversity of their identities and experiences. We work with LGBTQ+ young people as equals to achieve our vision through youth work, changing attitudes, and research.

Our core values are those of inclusion, integrity, and respect, in an environment of honesty and openness. Our purpose is to create a welcoming, supportive, safe and fun space for LGBTQ+ young people. We are committed to collaboration and youth participation. We believe in solidarity and intersectional equality, and our work focuses on human rights and social justice. We are dedicated to continuous improvement in everything we do. 

The role of our Youth Engagement Volunteers is to assist and support Belong To’s youth workers to engage young people in our weekly groups. These groups meet in the evenings, Monday to Thursday, in a Dublin city centre location. These groups are:

• Over 18s Group – meets on Mondays 6pm-8pm and is for LGBTQ+ young people aged 18-23.
• Under 18s Group – meets on Tuesdays 6pm-8pm and is for LGBTQ+ young people aged 14-17.
• IndividualiTy Under 18s – meets on Wednesdays 5.30pm-7pm and is for trans and non-binary young people aged 14-17.
• IndividualiTy Over 18s – meets on Wednesdays 7pm-8.30pm and is for trans and non-binary young people aged 18-23.
• Ladybirds – meets on Thursdays 6pm-8pm and is for lesbian, bi and trans gals and their non-binary pals aged 14-17.

We are ideally looking for volunteers who have had direct experience working or volunteering alongside young people in a group setting, and who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of LGBTQ+ young people.

Benefits of being a Youth Engagement Volunteer at Belong To

• Be part of an organisation that effects personal and social change for LGTBQ+ young people.
• Share and utilise your valuable skills and expertise, and learn new skills.
• Our youth groups are fun, engaging and supportive spaces for both young people and the staff and volunteers who work with them.
• Belong To’s volunteers are part of the team and will be invited to many of our events throughout the year.
• As a part of the team, your voice will be heard and you will have opportunities to contribute to, and provide feedback on, Belong To’s work and strategy.

The Role of a Youth Engagement Volunteer

Our Youth Engagement Volunteers are a core part of our weekly groups and Belong To’s Youth Work Team. They:

• Support our youth workers in ensuring the groups operate smoothly and safely.
• Support young people directly to complete tasks and project work in our groups.
• Share their experience and skills with the young people in our groups.
• Help our youth workers to ensure best practice in safeguarding the young people in our service.
• Help make our groups relaxed and fun spaces for LGBTQ+ young people to be themselves.
• Help support the facilitation of our workshops and programmes, including planning, implementation and evaluation of activities. 

Time Commitment

A minimum commitment of two hours every two weeks is required. Ideally, Youth Engagement Volunteers will be available to attend weekly at one of our youth groups above.

Youth Engagement Volunteers may also be asked to volunteer at other events and activities with young people throughout the year if they are available. For example, a number of our Youth Engagement Volunteers support our participation with young people in Dublin Pride each year, and we run programmes during school breaks which we would hope some volunteers could support.

In addition, Belong To will hold one meeting each quarter for volunteers, usually on a Friday evening or Saturday morning. These meetings are held so that volunteers can be updated on developments at Belong To, receive training, share learnings and experiences with each other, and provide feedback to Belong To staff.

Experience and Person Specification

The ideal candidate will:

• Have previous experience of working with young people in a group setting.
• Enjoy interacting and engaging with young people.
• Have an ability and desire to build positive and supportive professional relationships with young people.
• Be reliable and volunteer consistently with the group and wider team of staff and volunteers.
• Be 25 or over.
• Be passionate about supporting Belong To’s vision, mission and values.
• Be friendly and approachable.
• Have experience being part of a team.
• Be able to demonstrate sensitivity and understanding of young peoples’ perspectives.

Process for Recruiting Youth Engagement Volunteers

1. All submitted applications will be assessed for suitability for the role of Youth Engagement Volunteer in a fair and consistent manner.
2. Where a large number of applications are received, we may conduct phone screening interviews to help with shortlisting for interview.
3. Those shortlisted will be invited for interview in person in a Dublin city centre location.
4. For those who proceed past the interview stage, Belong To will then conduct reference checks.
5. Following successful reference checks, we will then conduct Garda Vetting and ID Checks.
6. Once completed, all new Youth Engagement Volunteers will participate in our Induction Process. Some of the induction process may take place online, but attendance in person at an induction day on Saturday 7 September in a Dublin city centre location will be required.