Volunteering is a fantastic and an incredibly fulfilling experience. Whether you’re helping a local charity, or spending your free time volunteering for a local festival, stepping up and showing up for those around you nurtures the soul! We put together a list of organisations, charities and festivals in Galway that are always looking for passionate and bright members of the community to help out! Discover where to go volunteering in Galway right here...
Help to give back to our local community by signing up to be a volunteer in Galway! For more information on all of the amazing opportunities for volunteering in Galway, head over to the Volunteer Galway website for a full and all inclusive guide to volunteering within Ireland. Tap here to discover more volunteering options.
COPE Galway
Who are they? - COPE Galway works to aid and support the most vulnerable people within our community. Their support services include homeless service, domestic abuse service, and senior support.
The COPE Galway team is made up of dedicated staff and volunteers who work to advocate for those in our local communities who need it most. They provide family and transitional housing services for members of the community who are unhoused. For victims of domestic violence they promote awareness and proper training, and outreach programs. Their senior support services encourage fostering a community as well as catering programs. COPE does this and so much more.
Volunteering requirements - Some volunteer roles may need skills, but mostly all COPE Galway need is passion and a desire to make a difference. They have long term (up to six months) and occasional volunteering roles in their services, shop, fundraising events and administration teams.
Register to volunteer here
above: photo courtesy of COPE Galway
Claddagh Watch Patrol
Who are they? - The Claddagh Watch Patrol is a local organisation that is dedicated to nightly watches of the waterways of Galway City.
Their main mission is to carry out regular group patrols along Galway’s waterways. Since their establishment in 2019, their presence has already helped to avoid many accidents and fatalities on the waterways. Their aim is to caution people about the dangers of the water, encourage people to move away from it, and to help those who appear to be distressed, disoriented, or suicidal near the water. Through their work, the Claddagh Watch Patrol continue to make Galway a safer and more beautiful place to both live and work.
Volunteering requirements - Good observation and awareness skills, empathy, ability to work as part of a team and ability to stay calm in a crisis, commitment and punctuality, Garda vetting, ID check, and an informal interview. Requirements that are desirable but not essential include skills such as SafeTALK, ASIST or other mental health training and any form of CPR, and First Responder knowledge.
*Further training opportunities will be available also to volunteers.
Register to volunteer here
MADRA - Mutts Anonymous Dog Rescue
Who are they? - MADRA is a Galway charity that rescues, rehabilitates, and rehouses abused and neglected dogs.
It takes many elements to keep MADRA working as an organisation. Whether it’s dealing directly with people at an event, or in their shops, helping hands-on with dogs at the shelter or assisting with all the administration behind the scenes, volunteer help is a huge element of this. Using the MADRA resources to protect and rehabilitate dogs is an incredible and rewarding experience for all those who volunteer with MADRA. Blue Tag Volunteers clean kennels, walk and socialise dogs, and sort donations. All incredibly vital duties to make sure the organisation runs smoothly and the dogs receive puppy loving care!
Volunteering requirements - Some volunteer roles may need skills, but mostly all MADRA need is your willingness and interest to help vulnerable dogs. An hour is a valuable one if you are willing to share it with them. Whether it’s at an event, helping with administration or in the shops – MADRA will always welcome your help!
Register to volunteer here
above: photo courtesy of MADRA - Mutts Anonymous Dog Rescue and Adoption
Cúirt International Festival of Literature
Who are they? - Cúirt is a leading voice for literature both internationally and across Ireland. They bring readers and writers together to celebrate writing, books, and reading in all its forms.
This is a festival that strives to bring writers and readers together to share stories and champion the importance of writing. Each year Cúirt recruits a large number of enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers for their annual festival which takes place in April each year. Volunteers are an important part of the Cúirt team and help to deliver an unforgettable experience for audiences and festival participants alike. Volunteering with Cúirt is a fast-paced and fun way to experience the festival and great for those seeking experience in events-based work.
Volunteering requirements - Cúirt is looking for enthusiastic people to assist with a myriad of tasks ranging from stewarding, marketing and assisting festival attendees with any queries.
Register to volunteer here
Galway International Arts Festival
Who are they? - Galway International Arts Festival is a multidisciplinary festival which takes place each July and covers a range of art forms.
Volunteers play a huge role in the success of Galway International Arts Festival. Every year they help bring extraordinary experiences to the city, its people and its visitors. If you’re passionate about the arts and the festival, you have the opportunity to volunteer and support this unforgettable experience. You will be in an environment where you can learn new skills, make new friends and immerse yourself in the arts. Volunteering with Galway International Arts Festival also includes some exciting perks so be sure to check it out!
Volunteering requirements - The volunteer programme is open to everyone, irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, civil or family status, disability, race, membership of the Traveller community or socio-economic status. A volunteer management software is used which allows volunteers to sign up for volunteer opportunities, keep track of volunteer hours and more; a free app can also be downloaded to your mobile phone.
Register to volunteer here
above: photo courtesy of Galway International Arts Festival
Galway Simon Community
Who are they? - Simon Communities is a network of eight local communities providing homelessness services across the country.
Galway Simon Community was founded by a group of volunteers in 1979 who refused to accept homelessness on the streets of Galway. Galway Simon Community volunteers have been an integral part of their community and their work simply would not be possible without them. They have both full-time and part-time volunteering positions available across their shops, fundraising events and behind the scenes work.
Volunteering requirements - Their shops are staffed with volunteers and each work as a shop assistant for a minimum of 4 hours a week. For fundraising events responsibilities are varied depending on the event and can include bucket collections, stewarding, ticketing, hospitality and much more. The full-time volunteer typically spends nine to twelve months at Galway Simon and is an integral part of the team, bringing their skills and energy to the work that they do.
Register to volunteer here
Baboró International Arts Festival for Children
Who are they? - Baboró International Arts Festival for Children is Ireland’s flagship arts festival dedicated to children and families.
While the year round Baboró team is small and mighty, the beloved October festival would not exist without an entire community of enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers. They rely on passionate volunteers and seasonal staff to help bring quality arts and creative experiences to families in Galway every year. It’s an incredible festival that encourages kids to express themselves and their curiosity about the world around them. Volunteering for the festival is an incredible opportunity to get more involved in the community.
Volunteering requirements - Festival volunteers provide essential support to the stewards and front of house managers, while also greeting and assisting incoming audiences. As a volunteer you’ll be based in different venues throughout the city, helping to create a positive Baboró experience for audiences.
Register to volunteer here
above: photo courtesy of Baboró International Arts Festival for Children
Galway United F.C.
Who are they? - Galway United FC play in the SSE Airtricity Men’s and Women’s Premier Divisions. Volunteers help to coordinate their home games in Eamonn Deacy Park, in Terryland and the smooth running of behind the scenes operations.
If you also have a passion for the game they have one simple question for you: ‘Why not get involved in the running of your football club?’ because they have a wide variety of volunteer opportunities that are available! With games across both the SSE Airtricity Men’s and Women’s Premier Division along with the Galway United FC Underage Academy games, their volunteers are vital to the smooth running of the club.
Volunteering requirements - From media coordinators to programme contributors and so much in between, volunteering with Galway United FC is an incredible way to get involved with Galway’s community. The volunteering roles available are varied and many people continue to use their time volunteering with the club to gain valuable work experience.
Register to volunteer here
Galway Film Fleadh
Who are they? - Galway Film Fleadh is a week-long international film festival taking place every July.
Behind the scenes, the Galway Film Fleadh is made up of a dedicated group of people who work together to bring the magic of film to our community. Each year, they put out a call out for volunteers to come support and help put on the festival. Volunteering at the Galway Film Fleadh is a great way to meet people from around the world who share a passion for film. You will also have the fantastic opportunity to see how a film festival operates from behind the scenes and brush shoulders with famous actors, directors and filmmakers.
Volunteering requirements - There are various roles available to volunteer for at Galway Film Fleadh, including merchandise, photography, social media, customer service, ushering, and much more. The festival has two daily shifts, morning to late afternoon and evening to night.
Register to volunteer here for Galway Film Fleadh
Register to volunteer here for Generation Fleadh
above: photo courtesy of Galway Film Fleadh
TULCA Festival of Visual Arts
Who are they? - TULCA is a multi-venue, artist-centered festival of contemporary art that works with Irish curators to present innovative exhibitions that provoke and energise audiences into the world of the visual arts.
Every year their amazing volunteers form a core part of the entire TULCA team. Participating in the TULCA volunteer programme gives participants first-hand working experience of the time, energy and ambition that goes into the production and running of a contemporary visual art festival. TULCA always seeks to provide an enriching, educational, and uplifting time for all of their volunteers.
Volunteering requirements - TULCA asks their volunteers to commit to at least 2 shifts during the festival. Simply let them know your areas of interest, and they will do our best to accommodate your preferences. Tasks include invigilation of the festival art galleries, assisting with the delivery of programme events, and supporting education tours and workshops.
Register to volunteer here
Feature photo courtesy of Galway Film Fleadh
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