How to Volunteer
Go for it, volunteer! You can do it!
We chatted to some student volunteers and community partners.
Get inspired and see how easy and fun it can be:
Steps to Volunteering
Getting started as an ALIVE Volunteer could not be simpler! Be an ALIVE volunteer today.
Step 1: Find the best volunteer opportunity for you! View over 220 volunteer opportunities on the ALIVE Database and sign up online
Step 2: The organisation will be in touch and you can start volunteering!
Step 3: Link in with ALIVE for supports to make your volunteering experience the best it can be.
Step 4: Celebrate! Apply for the NUI Galway Presidential Award for Volunteering from the President, the ALIVE Certificate
Step 1: Find your best volunteering opportunity
ALIVE is here to help you find your ideal volunteer role. Ask yourself some key questions:
What?
There are a huge range of fun opportunities with children, environmental, health and disability projects.
Here is the full list of volunteering roles: SEARCH VOLUNTEERING ROLES
When?
There are once-off opportunities for a few hours on a Saturday to weekly one hour on a Monday opportunities. You choose! Here is our calendar of once-off opportunities:
Where?
We mostly work in Galway but we also have great national links. You can volunteer near where you live, play or work. Travel in style with free bus travel from ALIVE: BUS TIMETABLES
View ALIVE Volunteering in a larger map
Who?
There are opportunities for all students in a variety of organisations.
Here is our list of community organisations that you might like to browse: COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS
Create your own!
If you have your own volunteering idea you can make it a reality with the ALIVE Civic Engagment Fund
Step 2: Meet the organisation & start volunteering
Once you sign up on the ALIVE website the organisation will be in touch about getting started!
Enjoy your first visit as you learn more about the organisation, training and get the tour! Expect to complete an informal chat, interview and reference check depending on the role. Once you start volunteering communication and commitment are vital. Get the most our of volunteering through skill building and leadership opportunities.
Step 3: Link in with ALIVE supports
ALIVE has it all and we love when you visit!
ALIVE Team
Visit us for the chat about volunteering and how we can support you to get the best from your expierence.
We have put together all the Frequently asked questions, the source of all our wisdom!
Also, FAQ's on how to apply for your ALIVE Certificate.
ALIVE Guides
Pick up your free Guides at the ALIVE office in the Hub, Áras na Mac Léinn or Download below to learn more about volunteering in the community.
Thinking of Volunteering?
A Step by Step Guide to Volunteering for NUI Galway Students
ALIVE Volunteers: Handbook for Homework Clubs and Youth Activities
Covers everything you need to know about volunteering with children and young people.
International Volunteering: A Guide for NUI Galway Students
Covers everything you need to know about volunteering abroad.
Step 4: Get your NUI Galway Presidential Award for Volunteering
NUI Galway ALIVE Certificate for Volunteering Ceremony 2013 from ALIVE NUI Galway on Vimeo.
Get Certified! The NUI Galway Presidential Award for Volunteering is the ALIVE Certificate.
We want to reward all the time and effort students put into societies, sports clubs, campaigns, committees, volunteering, community engagement, Mentoring, Class Reps, student radio, and everything else that isn't degree-related, all your extra-curricular activities. This is your chance to tell us what you have been doing, and get the recognition you deserve!
Well done to all the 860+ students who received their ALIVE certificate this year 2013/14. Dates for next year will appear on this site in the near future. Remember to apply, students must complete the application form which is a series of questions about your volunteering you can find this on www.yourspace.nuigalway.ie. It's easy! Log in, complete the application form and click submit. You can save your application, return and edit it and manage your volunteering portfolio.
To Qualify:
You need to be an active volunteer for at least one semester to qualify for your Certificate. All kinds of volunteering are recognised by the Certificate. You may have volunteered in Galway, in your hometown or internationally. You may have volunteered on campus through clubs, class reps, student radio or newspaper, societies, or mentoring a first year student or off campus with a school, charity or hospital. All volunteering is recognised!
Confused? Read through our FAQs and through how to apply for the certificate.
Summary
In this section we covered the 4 Steps to being an ALIVE Volunteer!
- Step 1: Find the best volunteer opportunty for you! View over 220 volunteer opportunities on the ALIVE Database and sign up online
- Step 2: The organisation will be in touch and you can start volunteering!
- Step 3: Link in with ALIVE for supports to make you volunteering experience the best it can be.
- Step 4: Celebrate! Apply for the NUI Galway Presidential Award for Volunteering from the President, the ALIVE Certificate