How To Get Involved
NICHS relies heavily on volunteers to assist staff on all our projects and there are a number of different roles and opportunities for volunteers to participate in. These range from day/evening activities and sessions to residentials (mostly weekends but sometimes longer).
Volunteers need to be at least 18 years old to work on NICHS projects. While youth work experience is welcomed it is not totally necessary and everyone new to the organisation must attend an induction session, as well as some compulsory training. Prospective volunteers who have skills in first aid, life saving, drama, music, arts and crafts, games or sports are always in demand as NICHS takes great care to form a balanced volunteer team with a wide range of skills and experiences.
The experience NICHS can offer is stimulating and rewarding – it is not uncommon for volunteers to gain as much from the experience as the young people. The camaraderie and sense of personal achievement felt by our volunteers ensures that many stay involved year after year. Be warned! The work is hard and will test your stamina and your patience, but the rewards are many.
In the past, volunteers have indicated the relevance of the NICHS experience to their careers in youth work, teaching, nursing, other caring professions and occupations remote from youth work entirely.
If you are interested in volunteering with NICHS or would like more information on any aspect of our work, please contact info@nichs.org.
Previous Volunteers
As well as helping the lives of the young people NICHS works with, volunteering with the organisation is fun and extremely gratifying – here is what some of our volunteers have said about their experience with the organisation:
“I am a honoured to have participated in NICHS. The way the young peoples' attitude and behaviour changed amazed me, they really benefited from the community relations and I am proud to have contributed.” |
“I was a little nervous when I first got involved, I didn't think it would really work but the young people really gelled after the first few meetings. As the programme progressed the young people grew in confidence and at the end of the programme they were all good friends and religious and political differences forgotten. They could talk together about anything, even politics to a great depth. I learned so much.” |
“I first became involved in NICHS on a whim at university. I wanted to have a different kind of involvement with young people from that of a teacher, which I was training to become at the time. NICHS has given me a different experience from the one I experience every day at work. It has also given me some of the closest friends I have ever made, and that is probably because you have to work so closely together. NICHS has become a big part of my life.” |
“I had an excellent time, being my first time working with children. I was nervous, but the whole team was very supportive, I could have talked to anyone.” |
“I thoroughly enjoyed the programme – nearly as much as the kids!! It was a great success and I will return.” |
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NICHS is a company limited by guarantee and registered in Northern Ireland, Registration Number NI 18372, and has charitable status, Registration Number XN 48644.
© Copyright NICHS 2003.