L'Arche Communities L'Arche is a worldwide federation of faith communities where people with and without learning disabilities live together. In l'Arche, joys are celebrated and struggles are experienced in a loving and caring way. Assistants are welcomed from every country, but applications from Ireland are needed in particular. People who are searching for a deeper meaning in their lives often come to l'Arche. They are attracted by community living and by a life where spirituality is central. Assistants soon discover the wisdom and unpretentiousness of the person with a learning disability. L'Arche is a challenging place to live; personal illusions and weaknesses are confronted and strengths are built upon. The communities are Roman Catholic in identity, but welcome people of all denominations and those with no religious affiliation. www.larche.ie
L'Arche Cork Le Cheile Togher Cork 4 tel: 021 - 318880 fax: 021 - 318883 [email protected]
L'Arche Dublin Seolta Warrenhouse Road Baldoyle Dublin 13 tel: 01 - 839 4356 fax: 01 - 839 5460 [email protected]
L'Arche Kilkenny Cluain Aoibhinn Fair Green Lane Callan Co. Kilkenny tel: 056 - 25957 fax: 056 - 25946 [email protected]
The Barretstown Gang Camp The Barretstown Gang Camp runs short-term therapeutic activity programmes for seriously ill Irish and other European children between 7 and 16 years old. Volunteer 'caras' (friends) are needed for the Spring and Autumn (minimum 3.5 days) and Summer (minimum 10 days) sessions to organise and participate in a range of activities and to be responsible for the day-to-day care of the children.
The Barretstown Gang Camp Barretstown Castle Ballymore Eustace Co. Kildare tel: 045 - 864115 fax: 045 - 864711 [email protected] www.barretstowngc.ie
Camphill Communities of Ireland The Camphill Communities offer those in need of special care a sheltered environment in which their educational, therapeutic and social needs can be met. The nine communities in the Republic of Ireland were all founded through the initiative of parents of children with various disabilities and special needs. Each community has its own distinctive purpose and character. Volunteers who wish to get fully involved in the life of the community on a long term basis (usually 6 months - 1 year or more) are encouraged to apply. Some further details on the different communities are found below. www.camphill.ie
BALLYTOBIN: established in 1979 for children (now also adults) with multiple disabilities and disturbances, in a farm setting with family centred houses, in which children undertake a mixture of classroom work, art, craft and individual therapy.
Ballytobin Callan Co. Kilkenny tel: 056 - 25114 fax: 056 - 25849 [email protected]
CARRICK: founded in 1996 as a small, urban community catering for adults with special needs.There are craft workshops, residential houses and plans for accommodation for those who require independent, yet supported living, in a beautiful location in the town of Carrick-on-Suir. There is also a farm on the outskirts of town.
Carrick Castle Street Carrick-on-Suir Co. Tipperary tel: 051 - 645080 fax: 051 - 645569 [email protected]
DUFFCARRIG: established in 1972 as a working community for adults with a variety of emotional disturbances and mental and physical disabilities,living in 7 family-like households. Duffcarrig Gorey Co. Wexford tel: 055 - 25911 fax: 055 - 25910 [email protected]
DUNSHANE: established in 1995 as a training college for young adults in need of special care, both living in one of its 3 houses and attending on a day basis.
Dunshane House Naas Brannockstown Co. Kildare tel: 045 - 483628/483717 fax: 045 - 483833
GRANGEMOCKLER: founded in 1988 and placing special emphasis on integrating with the local community, with 3 houses catering for 43 residents, including 21 adults with special needs.
Grangemockler Temple Michael Carrick-on-Suir Co. Tipperary tel: 051 - 647202/212/120/263 fax: 051 - 647253 [email protected]
JERPOINT BARN/THE WATERGARDEN: founded in 1992, composed of a household of 12 adults in Jerpoint who undertake domestic work, weaving and vegetable gardening, plus a garden and coffee shop in Thomastown.
Jerpoint Barn/The Watergarden Thomastown Co. Kilkenny tel: 056 - 24844/24690 [email protected]
KYLE: developed in 1989, as a small rural community for some of the Ballytobin residents reaching adulthood.
Kyle Coolagh Callan Co. Kilkenny tel: 056 - 25458/25737/25016/55001 fax: 056 - 25848 [email protected] ROBB FARM: founded in 1993 as a therapeutic environment together with a rich social life for adults with special needs, which is strongly integrated into the local community.
Robb Farm Corraskea Ballybay Co. Monaghan tel: 042 - 974 8182 [email protected]
THE BRIDGE: founded in 1991 as a sister community to Dunshane, providing living and working situations for those leaving the training college environment. 'An Tearmann' operates as a coffee shop, incorporating a book and craft shop and a weaving workshop.
The Bridge Main Street Kilcullen Co. Kildare tel: 045 - 481597 fax: 045 - 481519 [email protected]
Caring and Sharing Association CASA runs a 'break house' which provides respite care in Malahide, Co. Dublin. 'An Clann' provides a family atmosphere in which disabled and non-disabled people live together. Volunteers are needed for a minimum of 3 months, but preferably longer. Volunteers are also needed for summer holidays in Ireland and for trips to Lourdes, France.
Caring and Sharing Association Carmichael House North Brunswick Street Dublin 7 tel: 01 - 872 5300 fax: 01 - 872 5370
Friends of the Elderly Friends of the Elderly is part of the international federation of The Little Brothers. It provides 6 month - 1 year full-time internships (normally for international volunteers) to work with, and on behalf of, older people.
Friends of the Elderly 25 Bolton Street Dublin 1 tel: 01 - 873 1855 fax: 01 - 873 1617 [email protected] www.petitsfreres.org/ireland
Glencree Centre for Reconciliation This autonomous organisation seeks to work together with those trying to build peace. Volunteers (ideally aged 25+) usually come to Glencree for a year, starting in September, and undertake both practical work (in kitchen and garden, etc.) as well as programme work on peace issues and with community groups. Shorter placements, including weekends, can be arranged.
Glencree Centre for Reconciliation Glencree near Enniskerry Co. Wicklow tel: 01 - 282 9711 fax: 01 - 276 6085 [email protected] www.glencree-cfr.ie
JVC - Jesuit Volunteers JVC offers those aged 20-35 the opportunity to work with marginalised members of society including young people at risk, homeless and disabled people, and those with addiction problems and HIV/AIDS. Volunteers make a 10 month commitment (September to June) and need to be open to the four values of JVC: simple lifestyle, community, exploring faith and working for justice.
JVC - Jesuit Volunteers
20 Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin 1
Tel: 353-1-8787167 [email protected]
Web www.sli-eile.com
Kingsriver Community This small community looks for volunteers who can commit a minimum of 6 months to caring for its 6 disabled residents, cooking, organic gardening, light maintenance, crafts and organising social activities. The community also provides training and supported employment for non- residential people. Kingsriver Community Ennisnag Stoneyford Co Kilkenny tel: 056 - 28287 fax: 056 - 28287 [email protected]
Simon Community Simon has communities in Cork, Dublin, Dundalk and Galway, providing emergency shelters and long-term residential houses for homeless people. Full-time voluntary workers, aged 18-35 are required for a minimum of 6 months to undertake work which can be demanding, both emotionally and physically. Volunteers from abroad must have excellent spoken English.
Simon Community National Office 28-30 Exchequer Street Dublin 2 tel: 01 - 671 1606 fax: 01 - 671 1098 [email protected] indigo.ie/~simonnat
Volunteer Development Agency The Volunteer Development Agency produces a very good guide to Residential Volunteering Opportunities in Northern Ireland, covering all types of voluntary work.
Volunteer Development Agency Annsgate House 70-74 Ann Street Belfast BT1 4EH tel: 028 - 9023 6100 (from Republic of Ireland: 048 - 9023 6100) fax: 028 - 9023 7570 (from Republic of Ireland: 048 - 9023 7570) [email protected] www.volunteering-ni.org