Quick answers to what volunteers ask us most. Can’t find yours? Get in touch.
Read our getting started guide to learn how to search and apply. If you’d rather talk it through, get in touch and book a chat with our team.
You can apply to volunteer with organisations, see the roles you’ve applied for, and get regular emails about new roles.
Your details are held securely. We only share them with organisations you apply to, as part of the application. You can opt out of emails or ask us to delete your data at any time.
Read the role description carefully. Look at:
Yes. Call or email us with your questions. We also offer one-to-one appointments in our office, by phone or online.
New roles come in all the time, so check back regularly and look at the most recently added. Or get in touch: we’ll talk about your interests and help you find something that suits.
It depends on the role. Events and one-off roles can start straight away. Roles that need interviews, references or Garda vetting usually take about a month. These checks keep everyone safe.
Want to start quickly? Filter for Quick Start roles.
It depends on the organisation. Many cover travel or lunch, but small, volunteer-led groups often can’t. A few ask volunteers to become paying members.
We encourage organisations to cover expenses wherever they can. Feel free to ask about expenses early on.
Check your spam folder and voicemail first. Organisations often have few staff, so give it three weeks before you follow up with them directly. If you’re still stuck, contact us.
Yes. Just tell the organisation in advance so they can plan, and ask how they handle time off.
Ask the organisation you volunteered with. Your I-VOL profile is also a record of your volunteering. We can only give references to people who volunteered with us directly.
We put you in touch with the organisation, using their own process. We might send them your details, or send you theirs.
They may phone, email or post you an application pack. After that, the recruitment is between you and the organisation, so send any documents they ask for, like a CV or references, straight to them.
Up to five at a time. Applying for too many makes extra work for busy organisations. If you like lots of roles, use “Save for Later” to keep a shortlist in your profile.
It holds your contact details, the roles you’ve saved or applied for, and a record of your volunteering hours. You’ll find it at the top of I-VOL once you’re logged in.
You can update it at any time. Having trouble? Email info@volunteerdublincity.ie and we’ll do it for you.
Under GDPR you have the right to erasure. Email us, or choose “manage my email preferences” at the bottom of any of our emails and select “right to be forgotten”.
This permanently deletes your record, including past applications. You can register again at any time. If you just want fewer emails, unsubscribe the same way instead.
We can transfer it to your new local Volunteer Centre. Just let us know.
First, apply for a role. If it needs vetting:
The organisation you applied to, not the National Vetting Bureau. The Bureau’s email names the organisation that submitted your application.
You may see our name on it: we process vetting for hundreds of organisations that are too small to have their own liaison person.
No. Vetting is only done for registered organisations, not for individuals.
Usually, yes. Vetting is a requirement of each organisation, so expect to be vetted for each new role. There are rare exceptions, which you can ask the organisation about.
Times vary, and a few applications take much longer. To avoid delays, fill in your details carefully and keep checking your email, including junk mail. Want to volunteer while you wait? Try a Quick Start role.
Talk to our team. We’re happy to help.
