Comhlámh promotes responsible and responsive volunteering practices through the volunteer sending agencies we work with, and you the volunteer.
In doing so, we hope to ensure that overseas volunteering has a positive impact for volunteers, the sending organisation, and the host project and community. Here are some of the supports we provide for you the volunteer.
For Comhlámh, global citizenship education is at the heart of everything we do. It shapes our courses and trainings, our #FirstWeds debates, our support for international volunteers and development workers, as well as our accompaniment of member groups who are active on a wide range of social justice issues.
Here you can find the range of courses we have to offer. These cover a range of global justice themes and will be of interest for anyone thinking about and working towards deep lasting change. Including international volunteers and development workers, activists and educators in the community here in Ireland
Comhlámh is responsible for administering the Volunteer Development Worker Scheme on behalf of the Department of Social Protection which has special arrangements in place to protect the social welfare rights of Volunteer Development Workers (VDWs). We also administer the Public Service Pension Scheme for Volunteer Development Workerson behalf of Irish Aid (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade).
You can find the Volunteer Development Worker Scheme’s Form here
Special note about social insurance and pensions.
Part of preparing for an assignment overseas should include thinking about your options for remaining within the Irish social insurance system. Considering one’s options for social protection may seem unimportant now, however it becomes extremely important for returning volunteers/development workers in accessing short-term benefits upon return, such as Unemployment Benefit, Maternity Benefit, and Treatment Benefits and for state pension entitlements upon reaching retirement age. The Support Services team in Comhlamh is available to provide information on current options for remaining within the Irish social insurance system.
For further information please contact us on 01-4783490 or email info@comhlamh.org.
If you are a public servant serving as a development worker after 1 January 1995 on an authorised leave of absence or career break you may be entitled to avail of the Public Service Pension Scheme. Full details are here
Volunteer development workers wishing to receive funding from SUSI for third-level studies need to check the most recent and up-to-date residency criteria from the Department of Education and Skills. You are also more than welcome to email info@comhlamh.org or telephone 01 478 3490 and ask for the Information and Support Officer, who will discuss the residency criteria to you.
Many returning development workers, volunteers and humanitarian responders find that engaging with debriefing and/or counselling can be helpful in processing experiences following an assignment. Comhlámh recommends that everyone should, at a minimum, have access to both a personal and an operational debriefing. We can provide you with information and confidential advice to help you access counselling services, through an established counselling provider that offers online and in-person sessions.
All enquiries about debriefing and counselling will be treated with confidentiality. To find out more, please email info@comhlamh.org or telephone 01 478 3490. Anyone who is interested in learning more about trauma, resilience and the impacts of sustained stress may find our “Rooting Resilience: Sustaining Civil Response” psychosocial learning resource of interest.
A Code of Good Practice for Sending Organisations has also been developed. This sets out the responsibilities of organisations that arrange volunteer placements, including some of the steps they take to support the Volunteer Charter. Organisations that have signed up to the Code will be willing to provide copies of this Charter to volunteers, and to discuss the Code in exchange.
The Volunteer Charter has been drawn up by Comhlámh, the Irish Association of Development Workers. Comhlámh has over 30 years’ experience of engaging with overseas volunteers and development workers. It was drawn up through extensive consultations with the three main groups involved in volunteers, sending agencies, and host projects.
