Who do I contact if I want to volunteer with Foróige?
You can contact [email protected] or complete the form here. Clubs are supported by Regional Youth Officers (or RYO’s) and many counties also have a regional office. Alternatively, call Foróige Head Office to point you in the right direction. All contact details are available here.
What support will I get as a volunteer?
All volunteers, regardless of which area of the organisation you choose to volunteer in will receive ongoing training and support. This includes but is not limited to induction training for new volunteers, which covers child protection, insurance, health and safety and activities and ideas, optional leaders training, which is offered from Levels 1 – 5 and additional training based on specific needs, such as challenging behaviour and games workshops. Your Regional Youth Officer or Project Worker can provide more information on the training available in your area. Alternatively contact [email protected] for more information.
Is Foróige an Irish language organisation?
No, the name Foróige is derived from the Irish words 'forbairt na hóige', meaning development of youth. A group of young people, with the support of adult leaders may choose to form an Irish language group but the majority of Clubs, projects and services are English speaking.
What is the difference between Clubs and projects?
The main differences between Clubs and projects are:
(a) Clubs are volunteer led and projects are led by staff in partnership with volunteers
(b) Clubs are for young people in general while projects are for young people as well as providing additional support for more vulnerable young people.
Foróige operates 531 Clubs across Ireland for young people who want to be involved in their community, meet new friends and have fun in a safe environment. Clubs are volunteer led and supported by regional youth officers. They provide general youth work services.
Foróige also operates 142 projects and 5 local youth services. These provide more targeted services to young people who need extra support. They may be getting in trouble in the local area, thinking of leaving school early or experimenting with tobacco, alcohol or drugs. Projects work with a wide variety of young people to meet their specific needs and help them on to a more positive life path.
Can young people avail of any Foróige services even if they don’t want to become a member?
Foróige offers a number of programmes to outside groups. Any youth group, operating in an out of school setting, with three or more members can take part in Foróige’s Citizenship Programme, which provides easy steps and activities for groups to play an active role in their community and make a real and positive difference now. You can also enter your project into the Foróige Youth Citizenship Awards.Young people can also apply to take part in Albert Schweitzer’s Leadership for Life Programme designed and managed by Foróige. The programme gives young people the opportunity to develop their innate leadership skills and set realistic goals for themselves both now and in the future.
My son/daughter would benefit from Foróige, how can he/she get involved?
Check out our Interactive Map to see if there is a Club in your area. No Club? Not to worry, call your Regional Youth Officer to see how you can set one up! Foróige Clubs are created and run by volunteers.
Do Clubs get a chance to meet with other Foróige Clubs?
Foróige believes that it is really important for young people to meet others that they wouldn’t normally have a chance to meet with. Therefore, Clubs are encouraged to get involved in interclub events, such as discos and talent shows. Regional events are also hosted at a national level.
What training will I receive?
All volunteers receive induction training to get you started. This includes information about what Foróige is all about and how to let the members take control and responsibility for their Club with your support. You will also be given a chance to discuss ideas for things to do in the Club, as well as important information on child protection and insurance. If you wish you can then take part in leaders training from Levels 1 – 5 which will help you to improve your own skills and become a more confident volunteer. Throughout the year, there will also be opportunities to take part in other trainings as required, such as games workshops and dealing with challenging behaviour. Should you require training in an area that is not already being offered, contact your youth officer.
Do I need any particular experience?
You will receive all the training you need once excepted as a volunteer. However, if you are skilled in a particular area, such as sport, arts, music, you can often use this to benefit the Club and support young people to develop new skills.
There is no Foróige Club in my area, how can I set one up?
Get in touch with Foróige Head Office or the regional youth officer in your area. Details can be found here. You will be assisted in every way to set up a Club in your area, including finding a suitable location to hold Club meeting, recruiting volunteers and recruiting members.
How is a Foróige Club different to other youth Clubs?
The Foróige Club structure ensures that young people have ownership of their Club. The members elect their own Club committee (chairperson, secretary, public relations officer and treasurer) who control and manage the affairs of the Club in consultation with members and leaders. This gives the members a chance to experience democracy first hand. Members take responsibility for their actions and feel a strong sense of belonging, not only to their Club but also to their community.
How often do Clubs meet?
Clubs meet once a week for 1½ to 2 hours. At times throughout the year, Clubs may meet more often if they are working on a project or planning an event.
What activities do Clubs do?
Foróige Clubs are run by the members, in cooperation with adult leaders. So, the activities of each Club vary depending on the interests of the members and, often, the expertise of the leaders. Foróige also provides a wide variety of programmes, including citizenship programmes that encourage young people to play an active role in their community to make it a better place and leadership programmes to nurture innate leadership qualities and capabilities. Foróige also provides leaders with games and activities suitable to their group, which will be demonstrated by your regional youth officer at leader training. The members run a formal Club meeting to plan and organise the activities and programmes they want to do. Clubs are encouraged to play an active role in their community.
Who are the members?
Foróige members are young people from 12 to 18 years.
Who are the leaders?
The leaders are generally members of the local community who want to get involved and make a difference. In a Club all leaders must be over 18 and at least one leader must be over 21.
What commitment is required of me?
You will be required to volunteer for just 1 ½ or 2 hours a week but ongoing projects or activities may require further commitment at times. This is at your own discretion. You must also commit to attend induction training for your benefit and the benefit of the members of the Club.
Is there an application procedure?
It all starts here at the Volunteer Enquiry form! Alternatively contact your local Foróige staff person.