Respite Service to People with Disability

  Ireland

• Dublin: 
Dublin

Durations of Program: 7-12 months and 1-2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 7-12 months
Dates: ongoing

Description: Volunteers will befriend people with disabilities during a wide range of activities. Volunteers will live and work in our respite houses, where different people with disabilities are welcomed each week. Each volunteer is assigned one person with disability. The volunteer will assist this person in the activities of daily living, take them on social outings and most importantly get to know them, be their friend, help them to feel valued. Each volunteer looks after one person with disability, but work within a team of approx 10 to 12 people, with a house leader to provide assistance and support as you go along.

Highlights: Volunteers get to know people with disabilities and appreciate person first, disability second. Volunteers get an understanding of disability, and what it is to have a disability. Volunteers have fun, it is a very rewarding experience. Volunteers meet many volunteers from other nations.

Qualifications: No qualifications necessary.

Cost in US$: Free

Salary / Pay: weekly allowance 65 euro, meals and accommodation

Experience Required: yes

Some contact with persons with disability, either formal or informal

Typical Volunteer: Students taking a gap year or looking for work experience. People taking career breaks to try something different.

Age Range: 20 upwards

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian and European Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Ireland Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 10

Application Process Involves:

• Disciplinary Clearance Form
• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview
• Written Application

Caring and Sharing Association Break Houses's Mission Statement: Our mission is to provide quality respite breaks to people with disability and their families (or caregivers) in an atmosphere of trust, friendship and mutual respect, enhancing quality of life. There is a spiritual element to work, respectful of where each person is coming from.

Year Founded: 1982

Caring and Sharing Association Break Houses is a Roman Catholic based organization. We do not require our participants to be of the same faith. Our volunteers will not be involved in religious proselytizing.