Investing in Volunteers

At Solas Project we recognise the reciprocal value of volunteering. Our young people benefit immensely from the opportunity to build relationships with trusted adults from a wide range of backgrounds. Simultaneously, research indicates that volunteers themselves also benefit, with volunteerism being linked to improved mental and physical well-being. According to Mental Health Ireland’s National Volunteer Strategy:

“As well as the satisfaction from making a positive difference within their local community, volunteers have reported better mental health, better physical health, and a greater opportunity to make friends.”

We currently have approximately 120 volunteers who serve each week throughout the year as well as an additional 200+ corporate volunteers who participate in short-term volunteer programmes each year. In 2022 we decided to formally demonstrate the value that volunteering adds to our organisation by embarking on a journey with ‘Investing in Volunteers’, which is a quality standard for all organisations involving volunteers. It aims to improve the volunteering experience for all volunteers and demonstrates that organisations value the enormous contribution made by their volunteers.

After undergoing a thorough assessment in 2023, we are delighted to have been awarded the badge of achievement for 2023-2026 in recognition of our commitment to volunteering within the organisation. As part of the qualitative data, we received some great feedback we’d love to share. Volunteers commented on how welcome they were made to feel when joining the organisation and how they’ve been able to see positive progression in young people over time.

What Our Volunteers are saying:

“Everyone was friendly and welcoming. Meeting the other volunteers at the start was a positive experience”.

“It has taken me out of my comfort zone and benefits my professional development. I thoroughly enjoy it and volunteering has helped me clarify the area of work that I want to go down.”

“I’ve grown as a person, I come away every time buzzing and I’m always learning something new.”

“You get so much energy from the kids. I’m proud to say that I’m a volunteer with Solas Project.”

“I enjoy it so much. Every day that you are there is valued. Getting a thank you from the children and seeing them progress is so rewarding”.

It is clear from their feedback that our volunteers understand the impact that consistently showing up for a young person can have on building a trusting relationship. Every volunteer brings something different with their skill set and significantly adds value to the work we do. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer with us, be sure to check out our volunteer page to see our current opportunities.

TRY Model Launch

“…Youth workers need models to articulate the purpose and value of their work to politicians and the public, and to explain foundational assumptions about society, young people, values, and mechanisms for personal and social change. Robust on-going discussion about models clarifies the relationship between theory and practice and enables youth work to make use of advances in knowledge in other disciplines, and to innovate constructively when faced with social and political change.”

- Cooper, Youth & Policy 2012 p.98

This month we are celebrating two years since the Targeted Response with Youth (TRY) Project officially joined Solas Project as part of our Justice Team. As the project continues to grow, the team has worked hard to develop their own model outlining their bridging approach to working with young people. As expressed in the opening quote, youth work models are necessary to not only help establish the foundational purpose and value of the work, but to also demonstrate the relationship between theoretical approaches and their practical applications.

After months of planning, discussing, writing, and designing, the TRY Model was officially launched this January over Zoom. During the launch, a total of 64 people tuned in to hear our team share about the various stages of the model, along with corresponding stories from young people of how the levels of support have made a difference for them.

An important aspect about the model’s Bridge of Community approach, as explained by Justice Programme Manager Ashling Golden, is that it is not a linear progression and young people may find themselves at different stages during various circumstances and life events. The overarching theme of the model is to always meet young people where they are at through providing consistent and practical supports. This can be summarised in the team’s motto:

“Nobody is too far gone, everybody is worth it, everyone can change, communities can improve, society can flourish.”

Click the button below to view the full model.

Holiday Highlights

“If you can laugh together, you can work together.”

- Robert Orben

With January well underway and the days growing slightly longer, a spirit of hope and anticipation accompanies us into the new year. As we reflect on 2023, collaboration emerged as a central theme for us as we sought out ways for our various teams and programmes to come together. A particularly beautiful example of this was our year-end event, Santa’s Grotto, where the laughter and sense of community served as a testament to the power of working together.

The Main Event

Hosted at our newest office space on Oliver Bond St, the event was truly a community-wide effort. For weeks leading up to the date, staff and volunteers coordinated entertainment, treats, decorations, and of course: presents! Thanks to the fundraising support from Udemy, via The Irish Youth Foundation and other generous donors, we were able to provide gifts for 60 children who attended the event from our Junior and Senior After Schools programme and families from our Liberate programme. Some of our very own team members and young people surprised us with their artistic talents, including face painting, music, and elf impersonations.

Looking Forward

While the holidays can be a challenging time, often accompanied by various stressors and expectations, this event reminded us of the joy to be found amongst the chaos, and that things don’t have to be perfect in order to make an impact. In the words of A.A. Milne:

“Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in our hearts.”

As we prepare for the year ahead, we want to continue prioritising collaboration amongst our teams and community, hopefully with a lot more laughs along the way.