There are all these articles out there that volunteering is good for the unemployed. I don't see how that is - first I'm on social welfare and I was told I couldn't volunteer because I need to be available to work to receive my benefits and second I applied to several charities and no-one even called me back.

What is anyone else's experience - I'm pretty peeved that I can't even get work for free.

Hi Sean

You CAN actually volunteer when you are unemployed. It is true that you must be available for work (so you would in essence be expected to still be looking for work) - but at the same time you can volunteer. The local deciding officer must be able to establish that the volunteering is truly voluntary in nature and with a charitable organisation. This is normally done by getting a VW1 Form (a voluntary work 1) form from your local Social Welfare office and getting the group your going to volunteer with to fill it in.

I've put a link below to where you can download a VW1 form from our website and also a useful flier which helps explain how you can volunteer when unemployed.

Cheers

Tricia

VW1 Form
http://www.volunteersouthdublin.ie/images/stories/vw1.doc

Flier on volunteering
http://www.volunteersouthdublin.ie/news/latest-news/270-new-flier-on-volunteering-and-unemployment