Volunteering for Barnardo's NI
Barnardo’s Northern Ireland could not continue its work without volunteers. They work in a variety of ways either directly with children and young people, in or shops or offices, or by raising vital funds. Depending on your interests and skills we can make sure that you find the right volunteering opportunity to suit you. We also have special opportunities for employee volunteering, young volunteers and university students.
Search for current volunteering opportunities in Northern Ireland
Volunteer profiles:
Name: Justin Tennyson
From: Belfast
Age: 27
Volunteering role: Intern with the Policy and Research Unit
Justin's story:
Research is an area I am interested in as a career and the opportunity to work with Barnardo's in this field was invaluable. The research work I undertook opened my eyes to the wide range of issues that children and young people face. I also gained experience helping organize the launch of a policy and practice briefing on a parenting skills programme called Incredible Years at the Long Gallery in Parliament Buildings,Stormont. During my three months I gained new skills and met a lot of people who do fantastic jobs. Without any hesitation I would most definitely recommend the volunteering experience with Barnardo's."
Name: Clare Murray
From: Carrickmannon, Co Down
Age: 18 years
Volunteering role: Play for All, Saturday Club, Downpatrick
Clare's story:
I first got involved with Barnardo's when Istarted going to their Sunflowers' Saturday Club in Saintfiled with my brother when I was 11. The clubs are run for disabled children and their borhtes and sisters and provides somewhere they can go together to have fun adn hang out with other young people in similar circumstances -which can be particularly difficult if you live in rural areas like we do. The clubs cater for all levels of need. We went every other Saturday for four years. When I turned 17 I became a volunteer because I wanted to let ohter disabled children have the experience my brother and I had. We do all sorts of activities and trips and I love seeing the children having a good time. I've just started university but i don't intend to stop volunteering - it's only two hours every other Saturday and it's not like you're giving anything up because you're gaining so much."
Here are just some of the ways you can volunteer with Barnardo’s NI:
- Retail Sales Assistant
- Set up or join your local Friends of Group
- Flag Day fundraiser
- Bag packing
- Volunteer in one of our services
- Internships
- Organizing an event
Search for current volunteering opportunities
Why do people volunteer?
There are many reasons why people choose to get involved. Here are just a few:
- To support Barnardo’s NI work as a charity
- To do something inspiring and for a worthwhile cause
- To meet new people
- To learn new skills and improve their CVs
If you speak to people who are already volunteers , they will probably tell you that they do it because they love it – so why not help vulnerable children and young people and have some fun at the same time?
