I still can’t quite believe that I’ll be leaving in a few days and that my time here in Solas Project has come to an end. It feels like only yesterday that I started my EVS in Dublin and I must say I’m so glad I chose to do the European Voluntary Service!
Read MoreWe were thrilled to have the opportunity to thank our amazing volunteers again this year at our annual Volunteer Celebration! The Celebration was held in Third Space, Smithfield who gave us a very warm welcome for the night. We were also generously supported again this year by The Hilton Charlemont Place who provided canapés and desserts.
An incredible 16 volunteers across 5 programmes earned awards for 100 hours of volunteering with Solas Project, with a further 19 being recognised for their long standing commitment to Solas Project.
We were honoured to have as our guest speaker Christina Noble, founder of the Christina Noble Children’s Foundation, who was born on Marrowbone Lane here in Dublin 8. Christina spoke to us about the importance of having one key adult to build trust with as a young person. Her tales from her life, and her singing ensured it was a night that we won’t soon forget!
Christina Noble from Christina Noble Foundation
It was also a time for goodbyes, as it was the final night for several of our interns. Andrew and Kaja have completed an 11 month long European Voluntary Service project with us, and will be returning to their homes for further study. Lorna spent the past 9 months with our Senior Afterschool Club, and Julia was with us for a short term student internship from the US. The diversity of our volunteers and interns adds so much to the team and the experience of the children we support. We are grateful to have Sandra continuing on in to the next school year during her EVS time!
Interns Andrew, Kaja, Sandra, Lorna and Julia
Thank you so much to all of our volunteers who give so much of themselves throughout the year! We could not do what we do without you.
If you are interested in finding out more about volunteering or interning with Solas Project, please contact Elizabeth@solasproject.ie
It was the sunny day that we’d been hoping for on Thursday 15th June 2017. Ideal for our annual Solas Project Tag Rugby Blitz 2017! Co-ordinating 12 schools, 423 children, 84 corporate mentors, 8 refs. 15 pitch coordinators and 4 face painters is no joke - so a huge well done to Ste for being the chief organiser for this event!
Preparations started early for staff and volunteers and soon the schools started pouring in on buses to UCD sports grounds from the city centre.
Getting the Solas Project banner up; ‘Supporting and equipping young people’.
Firstly, there were warm ups and team talks with business mentors, before the matches got under way.
Warm ups with Ebay volunteers.
Practicing passing skills.
Volunteer from Savills getting their team warmed up.
Once the matches had begun, there was great support from on and off the side-lines! We found that face paint really helped promote team morale!
Volunteer with the Marist Primary School students
Catapult supporter cheering from the side-lines!
The Tag Rugby Blitz is the culmination of our Solas Sports programme which we run in 12 primary schools over the year. Solas Sports is one of the components to our Solas@School initiatives, which also includes Solas Business and Solas College. Each of these programmes, aims to promote self-worth, foster motivation and build character.
The game in mid-flow!
Tag rugby is usually a new skill for most of the classes, and as such really lends itself to teaching cooperation and team-work! During the five week programme in schools, where a Solas Project staff member and our business volunteers discuss with the class themes such as, ‘Words have power’, ‘Courage build character’, ‘Choices Have Consequences’, and then seek to put these words into action on the pitch and in life.
Scoil Treasa Naofa playing Scoil Íosagáin.
Courage builds character!
‘I really liked that it wasn’t just about the sports for me. I learned to think before I speak or do and I love the idea that choices have consequences because I play basketball and other sports and I use all that [learning]. The consequence was I got ‘Most Valuable Player’ in basketball.,’ quote from a 5th class student talking about their experience of Solas Sports.
‘I really liked Solas Sports because it really helped me with my anger,’ commented a 6th class student in a review of Solas@School.
TEAM = Together Everyone Achieves More
The Blitz serves as a great opportunity to see business mentors again and celebrate the year’s work and growth!
Long term Solas Project supporters Mainstream Renewable Energy with their team
The Team from Scoil Íosagáin and Catapult Events
The fabulous day ended with the corporate mentors taking to the pitch, while the children took a turn at supporting and encouraging!
Byrne Wallace and others play Bank of American Merrill Lynch.
And of course a group photo…
Solas Project Tag Rugby Blitz 2017
This day is so important to us and does not come together easily, we would really like to give a huge thank you to all who supported us, Joe Carthy and the team at UCD, our photographer Jaclyn Visbeen, Leinster Rugby for providing flags for each team, all the refs who gave up their time, past Solas Project staff members Andrew and Tim, to name but a few. Thanks to all our teacher, business mentors, volunteers and the children! We look forward to seeing you next year for another great day out!
If your business is interested in partnering with us for next year, please contact Clodagh@solasproject.ie
Ready for the next challenge: Take part in our Triathlon on September 2nd
Solas Business
It was with great excitement and a sprinkling of nerves that teachers, business mentors and students poured into our venue at St Catherine’s Church last Wednesday for our bi-annual Solas Business Community Final. This particular Solas Project event is always a highlight of our year, as schools get the opportunity to showcase the creativity and innovation that is sprouting up in classrooms of inner city Dublin.
Students arriving to the final.
The run up to this day, involves months of dreaming and scheming in Solas Project offices as well as in the classrooms and boardrooms of Dublin. Each of our seven schools are paired with a team of enthusiastic and skilled business mentors. For this particular final, our schools reached as far north as St. Paul’s Primary School in Brunswick Street and as far south as the Marist Primary, Crumlin. Over 5 weeks of the Solas Business experience the students, grouped into teams, were paired with business mentors from a range of companies including, Google, Savills, Byrne Wallace, State Street GA, Catapult and Dropbox.
A full house at St Catherine’s as seven schools come together for the Solas Business Community Final.
These newly formed ‘companies’ then worked together to bring an idea from its rawest form in the brainstorming session right through to the point where the product or service was ready to be pitched on stage. Our business mentors championed their team from the beginning to end of the process, fostering the growth of self-worth, character and motivation of each student along the way.
Pupils from St. James’s Primary School greeting the judges.
Solas Business Community Final always showcases the most imaginative and ground-breaking ideas, so it seemed fitting that our panel of judges also reflected a breadth of interests, background and creativity. Our panel was made up of Fiach MacConghail (CEO of Digital Hub), Sinéad Moriarty (best-selling author), Joe Carthy (Principal of Science, University College Dublin), Eimear Clowry Delaney (Assistant Director or University of Notre Dame), Alice Dawson (Communications Coordinator, Oxfam Ireland) and Eoghan Heaslip (Minister at St. Catherine’s Church).
Presentation Primary School Warrenmount supporting their team, ‘The Fluffy Bunnies’
The judges were in awe as they heard about shopping trolleys that you can fold up and bring with you, school bags that you don’t need to carry or another version of schoolbag which has back massagers inbuilt, footballs that return to you when kicked over the wall and onesies with automated temperature control for the homeless.
Judges asking questions, (left to right) Fiach MacConghail, Alice Dawson, Joe Carthy and Sinéad Moriarty.
After being wowed by the presentations, the judges were sent away to deliberate, while the schools and business mentors passed the time practicing Mexican Waves and walking with fidget spinners on their noses!
Midway through our Mexican Wave!
As well as an opportunity to showcase the talent of the community, the Community Final also offers the judges an opportunity to pick one winning team and a runner up. After much deliberation under time pressure, the judges awarded the 1st Prize to ‘Clever Bots’ from Miss Simcox’s class in St. Brigid’s Primary School, The Coombe. This team had developed an entire robot world that could converse, offer companionship and even help out with everyday tasks! Their model of a tiny bot, called ‘Jeoff’ teared up when he heard they’d won! As their prize, St. Brigid’s Primary School will receive €400 to spend as a school. We’ve heard that there have been suggestions that the school spends it on a chocolate fountain for the yard or guinea pig for the classroom, but we’re yet to hear the final approved decision!
Team ‘Clever Bots’ from St Brigid’s Primary School presenting their idea
In second place, ‘Team Care & Kind’ from Ms. Flannery’s class in St James’s Primary School, Basin Lane received a €100 voucher for Easons. This company came up with a product that can change the flavour of any bad tasting medicine or tablet, helping both children and adults take their required medicine.
Team Care and Kind’ and their mentors Claire and Orla from Byrne Wallace receiving their prize as runner’s up.
All in all, the Community Final was yet another spectacular display of the potential that lies with the young people in our community. We walked away feeling inspired and our imaginations re-ignited! Thank you to all our partner schools and businesses for all the time, effort and support to create a platform upon which these young people could shine!
It is a very busy and super exciting time at Solas Project, as we announce 3 vacancies on our team:
JAS - Junior After Schools Youth Cultivator
Compass (Prison Programme) - Youth Cultivator
Justice Programme - Team Leader
Please see below for further details:
YOUTH CULTIVATOR - JUNIOR AFTER SCHOOLS:
The Youth Cultivator will work within the spirit of Solas Project, the vision of which is an Ireland where all children and young people truly know their self-worth and can take full advantage of their potential. We are achieving this through providing a range of innovative interventions that equip and empower young people to reach their full potential, live life to the full and participate fully in society. Through programmes of learning, mentoring, personal and social development we support young people to create a brighter future for themselves and their communities.
We invite appropriately qualified individuals to apply who are committed to the healthy development of young people, have a creative approach to working with our target group, and are enthusiastic about leading within a demanding youth work environment.
Job Title: Youth Cultivator
Duration: initial 11 month contract
Hours of Work: 24 hours a week (4 afternoons and 2 mornings during school term, flexibility required during school holidays)
Start Date: 14th August 2017
Salary: Dependant on skills and experience of successful candidate
Reports to: After School Team Leader
Background
Our After School Programme has been running since 2007, and was born out of a desire to provide a safe, encouraging home-like environment after school for children living in challenging circumstances. In 2012 we launched our Junior Club (6 – 8 year olds) as a response for the need for earlier intervention. The Club runs from Monday to Thursday 2.30pm to 6:15pm. Each day there are three main components: a warm nutritious meal, assisting children with their homework and a constructive, fun activity. Through all its activities the programme strives to build up each child’s self-worth and confidence, and to help each child discover his or her gifts and abilities.
Role Description
Programme Delivery (Junior After School Club)
Overall responsibility for the day to day running and development of our Junior After School Club in accordance with the objectives of the programme, and show flexibility in meeting this responsibility.
· Provide a structured and loving home like environment where children feel safe and boundaries are clear.
General
· Provide supervision to interns and students involved in the Club through regular meetings.
The ideal candidate will have:
· Minimum of two years’ experience of working with young people (primary school age).
· A recognised qualification in one of the following: Education, Social Work, Social Care, Child Development or related discipline.
· Experience of dealing with challenging behaviour and children with additional needs.
· Experience of planning, implementing and reviewing programmes involving young people.
· Understanding of educational disadvantage and the challenges young people face.
· Proven track record of ability to attract, motivate and manage volunteers.
· Experience in first aid and food safety would be an advantage
· The ability to identify and develop new ways to develop the programme that will further the Project’s mission.
· Full appreciation and active support of the ethos and values of Solas Project
· D1 Driving licence would be an advantage
Required Attributes and Skills:
Compassion, Patience, Organisational Astuteness, Process Improvement, Developing Standards, Reporting Skills, Innovation, Adventurous, High Emotional Intelligence and Resilience.
To apply please send a CV and cover letter to:
Amy Carey, Solas Project, 40 Marrowbone Lane, Dublin 8 by Monday 22nd May.
Please note interviews will take place the week of the 29th May with second round interviews taking place the following week.
____________________________________________________________
JUSTICE PROGRAMME - TEAM LEADER
Team leader required for a new and innovative Youth Justice Initiative. The Youth Cultivator will work within the spirit of Solas Project, the vision of which is an Ireland where all children and young people truly know their self-worth and can take full advantage of their potential.
We are achieving this through providing a range of innovative interventions that equip and empower young people to reach their full potential, live life to the full and participate fully in society.
The programme’s target groups is young people who have a high or serious level of offending (14 – 18 years) but have not yet been in prison. As this is a new initiative a key part of this role is to shape the content of this work. There will be a heavy focus on individual mentoring and also small group work and skill based activities. The Team Leader will also have responsibility for managing The Yard, our skills based training workshop.
We invite appropriately qualified individuals to apply who are committed to the healthy development of young people in Ireland, have a creative approach to working with our target group, and are enthusiastic about leading, managing and monitoring performance within a challenging environment.
Job Title: Youth Justice Programme Team Leader - Youth Cultivator
Duration: Initial 11 month contract
Hours of Work: 35 hours a week with weekend and evening work required
Start Date: June 2017
Salary: Dependant on skills and experience of successful candidate
Reports to: Cultivation Manager
The ideal candidate will have:
Minimum of four years’ experience of working with young people in a disadvantaged context.
A recognised qualification in: Youth Work, Social Work, Education or related discipline.
Extensive experience of the not for profit sector in a disadvantaged context
Proven track record of ability to manage and motivate both staff and volunteers
Experience of designing and implementing new innovative programmes.
Broad understanding of the criminal justice system
Clean driving licence and use of own car
Appreciation and support of the ethos and values of Solas Project
Required Attributes and Skills:
Compassion, Patience, Organisational Astuteness, High Emotional Intelligence, Resilience, Process Improvement, Reporting Skills, Change Management, Coaching, Supports Innovation, Developing Standards, Administrative Writing Skills and People Skills.
Job Description:
Manage the day to day running of the programme including holding regular team meeting and one to one’s with staff.
The team leader will ensure effective engagement with new target group and the development of trusting relationships with the young people and their families. Including working directly with young people in a mentoring capacity and supporting the team with their caseloads.
Develop and implement a programme for new target group including both a one-to-one element and group work. Inclusion of engaging skill based and personal development activities. Ensure appropriate programmes to cater both for those in the formal education system and those who have been excluded from formal education.
Manage and develop The Yard (skills based training workshop), with a focus on managing staff and oversight of a small social enterprise
Manage the record keeping of all staff and ensure all records are kept in an orderly and up to date manner.
Develop, manage and support an effective team of volunteers
Deliver desired outcomes for each stage of the programme in line with the programme’s strategic objectives.
Manage relationships with relevant stakeholders including both statutory bodies and community organisations.
Review the programme’s existing policies and update where necessary. Draft any necessary policies that the programme does not currently have and which under best practice guidelines would be required or appropriate.
Be familiar with and abide by the Project’s child protection policy.
To contribute to the wider strategic development of the Project by playing an active role and assisting in the Project’s other programmes as required.
To ensure that the values and ethos of the Project are reflected in a consistent manner in all activities.
To apply please send a CV and cover letter to: Clodagh O’Reilly, Solas Project, 40 Marrowbone Lane, Dublin 8 by Wednesday 24th May.
Please note interviews will take place the week of 29th May.
___________________________________________________________
COMPASS - PRISON PROGRAMME - YOUTH CULTIVATOR
The Youth Cultivator will work within the spirit of Solas Project, the vision of which is an Ireland where all children and young people truly know their self-worth and can take full advantage of their potential. We are achieving this through providing a range of innovative interventions that equip and empower young people to reach their full potential, live life to the full and participate fully in society. Through programmes of learning, mentoring, personal and social development we support young people to create a brighter future for themselves and their communities.
The aim of Compass is to “love every young prisoner in Ireland away from re-offending and towards a new life”. This is achieved by running meaningful activities in the prison which then enables relationships to be built and continued in a mentoring capacity in the community. This main focus of this role is the co-ordination and running of the in-prison activities. The Youth Cultivator will also work as part of the Compass team and be involved in community mentoring as required.
We invite appropriately qualified individuals to apply who are committed to the healthy development of young people, have a creative approach to working with our target group (Young people within the justice system aged 16-24), and are enthusiastic about working within a demanding youth work environment.
Job Title: Youth Cultivator – Compass (Prison Programme)
Duration: 11 months
Hours of Work: 35 hrs a week with some weekend and evening work required
Start Date:
Salary: Dependant on skills and experience of successful candidate
The ideal candidate will have:
Minimum of two years’ experience of working with young people in a disadvantaged context
A recognised qualification in one: Youth Work, Social Work, Education or related discipline.
Extensive experience of the not for profit sector in a disadvantage context
Proven track record of ability to attract, motivate and manage volunteers
Innovative spirit with the ability to identify and develop new and fresh ways to expand the programme that will further the Project’s mission.
Clean driving licence and use of own car
Broad understanding of the criminal justice system
Appreciation and support of the ethos and values of Solas Project
Required Attributes and Skills:
Compassion, Patience, Organisational Astuteness, High Emotional Intelligence, Resilience, Process Improvement, Reporting Skills, Change Management, Coaching, Supports Innovation, Developing Standards, Administrative Writing Skills and People Skills.
Role Description
The person will have specific responsibility for the running and development of Compass’ in prison activities and relationships as well as supporting the community work of Compass.
Programme Delivery and Development
Deliver desired outcomes for each stage of the programme in line with the programme’s strategic objectives.
Develop and implement prison based meaningful activities that will engage and attract participants.
Collaborate with other agencies and/or individuals in the development of meaningful activities within the prison.
Build trusting relationships with young people in prison in order to enable Compass to continue supporting them upon release.
Initiate, manage and develop pre-release tailored care plans with participants who have engaged with the programme and who are willing to be supported in the community on release.
In the process of developing tailored pre-release care plans with each participant, identify, engage and liaise with all necessary and required third parties to properly assess the needs of participants on release.
As required support the Compass team by mentoring participants in the community on their release as per the standard community support care plan
Manage and support a team of volunteers for the in-prison activities.
Review the programme’s existing policies and update and/or amending same where necessary.
Other
To apply please send a CV and cover letter to: Clodagh O’Reilly, Solas Project 40
Marrowbone Lane, Dublin 8 by 24th May
Please note interviews will take place the week of 5th June.
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