Our volunteers matter to us because they make moments matter for the people in our care.
Our volunteers come from all walks of life, age groups and life experiences. Every volunteer is important to us.
You may never have interacted with someone living with dementia and you may be a little apprehensive. For others, our home may be very familiar and it can also evoke very emotional experiences. Whatever experience you may have had in the past, everyone always has a first day here in Saint Joseph’s Shankill and our Volunteer Coordinator, staff and families are with you every step of the way.
We can honestly say that you will gain more from your experience here by making a difference, meeting new people, having fun and being part of your local community.
We are delighted to be the first nursing home in Ireland to achieve the Investing in Volunteers quality mark.
Investing in Volunteers aims to improve the quality of the volunteering experience for all volunteers and demonstrates that organisations value the enormous contribution made by their volunteers. Investing in Volunteers is delivered in the Republic of Ireland by Volunteer Ireland in partnership with Volunteer Now in Northern Ireland.
Our current volunteer roles
Lodge Volunteers / House Buddy
Home is where the heart is. You will volunteer alongside staff and other volunteers on your designated day to support the people living in one of our lodges. There are six lodges in Saint Joseph’s which are each home to people at a similar stage of dementia. Volunteers are there to spend time with the people in our care. Tasks may include having a chat, doing arts and crafts, painting nails, hand massage, singing songs, playing bingo or having a dance. The sky really is the limit! Join our family at Saint Joseph’s Shankill where you’ll make a huge difference in the lives of people living with dementia.
Day Care Club Volunteers
Day Care Club Volunteers meet and greet the people attending our Day Care as well as assisting with activities throughout the day and engaging with people in a group or one-to-one. Our Day Care is open Mondays to Fridays. We’re currently looking for volunteers to join our team on Tuesday or Friday afternoons from 1.30am – 3.30pm or Wednesday mornings from 10.30am – 12.30pm. Due to the nature of our work, volunteers joining the team will need to have a COVID-19 vaccine.
Buddy Volunteer
Spend time with your ‘Buddy’ and make moments matter for them. Visit your buddy each week to have a chat, go for a walk in the grounds of Saint Joseph’s, have a sing song or have a laugh together. The sky’s the limit but you’ll be making a huge difference.
Hand Massage Volunteer
We all love some relaxation and a bit of pampering. Hand massage is very therapeutic and can create a pleasant and relaxing experience. Join our volunteer team and make moments matter for the people in our care.
Musician/Entertainer Volunteer
Do-Re-Mi…calling all performers!!!! Do you play a musical instrument or are you a singer? Do you have another performing arts talent that could entertain small or large groups of people? Perhaps you are a magician or a poet, a juggler, a ventriloquist, an amateur drama group or maybe you simply enjoy tickling the ivories and singing a few tunes. If you have a talent and would like to share it with the people who live in Saint Joseph’s, why not volunteer with us today?
Gardening Volunteer
You don’t have be Diarmuid Gavin or Monty Don but you’ll be helping us to keep our gardens and green spaces looking good for the people in our care and their family members. You’ll be weeding, deadheading flowers and generally keeping the flower beds looking good. We’ve also a few fences that need some sprucing up. We’re also looking for help with small bits of DIY and some painting (indoors and outdoors).
We are very grateful to our donors through the Community Foundation of Ireland for their generosity in supporting our Volunteer and Community programme. 
