Volunteer Profiles
Juliette Marchewka – EVS Full time volunteer (September 2007 – September 2008)
For me it was the best decision of my life so far to come to Galway. I have always wanted to go abroad and chose the Galway Simon Community rather spontaneously, but I couldn't have been luckier. The work with the women in Hazel Park has given me so much experience in this line of work that I can be confident about my career choice now, and living in the volunteer house with the other volunteers has given me what will hopefully be friendships for life and so many happy memories to last a lifetime. Galway has definitely become my home over the last year - this wonderfully cozy little vibrant city - and the responsibility in working with the Service Users has taught me a lot (about society, about social work, about boundaries, about myself...) and let me grow. I'm going home a little older, a little wiser, a little more independent, a little more open-minded and very thankful to have had this opportunity.
Alexandre KATIC –EVS Full time volunteer (February 2008 – August 2008)
After finishing my Human resources studies, I wished to make myself useful. Desiring to spend time in another country, I have found by chance Simon Community. Having an excellent reputation in Ireland, I applied to this organization. Currently I am working for a Simon project based in Galway. For the last few months I have been having an amazing experience. I assist members of staff in my project. We are working with a few and young residents. My main activities include developing relationships with residents, talking and listening to them, participating in extra activities, contributing to the daily functioning of the house.
Living in a voluntary community allows people to do a lot of things. Myself I have travelled inside a beautiful country, made plenty friends and acquaintances, discovered new habits and cultures.
At least I have the feeling to be very lucky and glad. Working for Simon Community has proven to be a fantastic opportunity to help one another and grow as an individual.
Todd Morrison
My name is Todd Morrison and I’m a social psychologist at the National University of Ireland in Galway. With very limited volunteer experience, I began working at the Galway Simon shop approximately 8 months ago. What, you might ask, does volunteering at the shop entail? Well, in my case, I basically do whatever is needed. (For some reason, those needs often translate into lifting furniture!) My work with the shop has made me aware of the important role the Galway Simon Community plays in providing services to those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. On a personal note, I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting the other volunteers and those employed full-time at the shop. I won’t embarrass them by name, but THEY know who they are! Finally, it would be remiss of me not to mention that the success of the shop is contingent upon the calibre of donations provided by Galwegians. The generosity that I have witnessed thus far is very impressive! I don’t know many charity shops that sell, among other items, designer handbags, shoes, dresses, men’s clothing, fine-bone china, antique furniture, and an assortment of CDs and DVDs (both mainstream and esoteric). The only downside is that if you see something you like, don’t wait: BUY it before someone else does! “
Andrea Harkin Volunteer (over night) Knockrea House Part time volunteer 2009
I always wanted to volunteer for a Homeless Charity and after seeing the Galway Simon Community website I decided I would get in touch with someone at the charity and see if they would like me on board with them.
I volunteered with Galway Simon for 6 months, and in this time I was an overnight volunteer. I volunteered every Saturday night; I worked in Knockrea House with 6 unforgettable men. I started my night with them at 7pm and ended at 9:30am or 10am.
Every night I was there, there was a staff worker with me, I just helped the staff member with some Housework if needed and I befriended the guys in the house, this was the best part of my experience at Galway Simon. The guys had great stories to tell and they told me about their past lives before Simon, I loved interacting with them and chatting, and they enjoyed getting to know me as well.
Working with the Galway Simon Community has impacted me deeply, it really is so lovely to give someone an hour of your time, it can really lift their spirits. I have learned how precious life is working in Knockrea House and I would recommend volunteering to everyone that would like to experience half of what I did.
EVS Full Time Volunteer Eva Brabencova September 2008 – July 2009
Hello, I am Eva Brabencova and I came from the Czech Republic. I am a student of social work, so when I thought about some placement in social area to get some new experience and develop my communication skills I decided to try EVS- European Voluntary Service. EVS is a great opportunity for young people to travel, meet new people, and learn something new.
I choose Ireland because I was already here for holiday two years ago and I liked it very much. Volunteering gave me a lot of positive things- amazing people I met at work place, living with other volunteers from different countries and backgrounds and I feel definitely much more confident about my English than before. It was a best decision I have made and I hope this all will help me in my career as a social worker.