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What are the Challenges that we are facing

At Matt Talbot we work with adults that already face so many barriers to reengaging in the educational system. Given the current restrictions it is probable that we will be required to move our educational programmes to online systems or that our participants will have to engage in remote systems to continue their educational journey.

Volunteering as an E-mentor

E-mentoring is a method of mentoring that is not based on physical location or face-to-face interactions. Interactions are conducted through an online platform, through email, video conferencing, skype and/or over the telephone. E-mentoring is a mentoring tool that is frequently used in education, group mentoring and small-scale companies.
The significant benefits of e-mentoring include:
No restrictions: E-mentoring is about accessibility and flexibility. Designed to be incorporated into a busy schedule, e-mentoring is meant to complement the many responsibilities today’s business professionals take on, and to extend its benefits despite the time-crunch. Physical location does not factor in to e-mentoring, and so does not restrict its functionality.
Honesty and clarity: E-mentoring allows mentors and mentees time to think and process new information. Compared to traditional mentoring, which takes place under the pressure of face-to-face meetings, e-mentoring allows room to thoughtfully prepare questions and construct replies. Communication is unhindered by nerves, awkwardness, or social restraints. Interactions are unhurried and flexible. This encourages honest communication and clarity in scope. What’s more, e-mentoring by nature produces a physical record of activity and communications that can be referred to later on. All of these features allow e-mentoring to create an environment of honesty and authenticity.
Alternate method: Rather than bypassing the many advantages that mentoring can provide, e-mentoring offers an alternative to the labour-intensive and time consuming process that traditional mentoring can present. It is a way to gain valuable knowledge and skills, despite the distance, place, and time barriers that many business professionals face.
Flexibility in scope: E-mentorships move and grow with the participants. Because it is not limited to place and time, e-mentoring allows mentors and mentees to make connections across the world, rather than their own backyard. Participants have access to varying viewpoints, expertise, and skill sets. The mentoring environment is fluid, allowing participants to change the method of communication and mentoring strategy as needed. Interactions take place frequently and easily, at the click of a few buttons.

Person Specification

● Strong communication and listening skills
● Ideally from an educational background
● Knowledge of blended learning and online platforms and use of IT in learning methodologies
● IT literate, familiar with digital communication platforms
● Determination to see problems and solutions through to the end.
● The ability to empathise with a non-judgemental approach
● Good organisational and time management skills
● The ability to relate to young people and adults
● The capacity to motivate and act as a role model
● Flexibility and adaptability
● A commitment to equality and diversity
● An understanding of confidentiality and the handling of sensitive information

Role Description

● Sharing skills and knowledge on a given subject.
● Providing encouragement, guidance and constructive feedback.
● Unlock learning potential
● Supporting learners in dealing with blocks/obstacles.
● Helping learners on a one-to-one basis in a digital setting.
● Implementing strategies and supporting learners in self-esteem and confidence-building activities
● Listening to learners and helping them resolve a range of issues that are creating barriers to their learning.
● Drawing up agreed action plans with learners, outlining the aims of the mentoring, and monitoring their progress

Next Steps

If you are interested in coming on board as a Volunteer E-mentor, please email Karen McDonagh, Future Options Senior Project Worker at [email protected] further information.

We may need to make an application on your behalf for Garda Vetting. Details of Garda Vetting can be found at vetting.garda.ie

What does the Matt Talbot Community Trust do?

The Matt Talbot Community Trust is a small organisation operating from a grassroots level in Ballyfermot. We provide community education programmes for individuals in Dublin and work to address the complex social issues leading to drug use and criminal behaviour. Our Future Options programme is designed to support individuals along their career path journey and overcome the barriers they may face in entering the workplace.
The foundation of the Trust was in the acknowledgement that liberation of the individual came through education. Over 30 years later, our programme still operates under this premise and we take the origin of the word education as being ‘to draw out from within’. The organisation firmly believes in the capacity of our group members to be positive contributors to their communities and workplaces.

What are the challenges we face?

While our organisation can provide our group with the opportunity to attain QQI accreditations, it can be challenging to provide support in areas such as soft skills and practical experience of a workplace and its culture. We believe that a mentor in the form of a Career Coach could provide invaluable support and insights into their chosen field of work for our group members.

What areas do our group members need support in?

● Communication Skills
● Teamwork Skills
● Career Path Advice
● Presentation Skills

What could a mentor offer to address this?

● CV and Cover Letter Preparation
● Workplace Tours – to enable the individual to experience the workplace culture
● Interview Skills Sessions
● Encouragement and support
● Career Path Advice
● Advice on how to enter into a particular field
● Monthly informal meetings
● Share their own experiences and insights

Person Specification

● Tenacious and Resilient
● Strong communication and listening skills.
● Familiar with digital communication platforms
● Determination to see problems and solutions through to the end.
● The ability to empathise with a non-judgemental approach
● Good organisational and time management skills
● The ability to relate to young people and adults
● The capacity to motivate and act as a role model
● Flexibility and adaptability
● A commitment to equality and diversity
● An understanding of confidentiality and the handling of sensitive information

Job Description

● Sharing skills and expertise in a given area.
● Providing encouragement, guidance and constructive feedback.
● Unlocking potential and supporting career development.
● Supporting the individual in dealing with any obstacles.
● Providing one to one mentoring and role modelling both face to face and on a digital platform.
● Helping the individual to resolve a range of issues that may be creating barriers to their progression,
● Drawing up agreed action plans, outlining the aims of the mentoring, and monitoring their progress.
● Providing continued mentoring and support as an individual enters permanent employment.

Fundraising is vital to our organisation. We view fundraising as having two key components within MTCT – to raise money to support the continuous development of our programmes and to raise awareness of our work, needs of our group and most importantly challenge perceptions of addiction and criminality.
As such our fundraising team is key to all programme activity and strategy.

What are the challenges that we are facing

Due to a multitude of demands on all staff working at MTCT we have limited capacity to follow through with many opportunities to fundraise in a strategic and planned manner.
The administrative burden of being multifunded also add time constraints that limit what we can achieve.
We believe that our community is a very unique place that offers a safe and secure environment to many people who come to us for support. Our aspirations for the future is to develop this model of working; expand our programme to include the continuous development of our premises in Ballyfermot that will encompass the first Edible Community garden in Ireland.
To achieve this, we need you to make a commitment to us in terms of your skills, time and energy.

The Role of a Fundraising Volunteer
As a fundraiser, you will support MTCT with all fundraising events and activities to include remote or online events. You will work closely with the Fundraising sub-committee to agree on the strategy and targets for the coming year and support us to identify ways to improve on our fundraising capacity.

Person Specification

• Experience of working on multiple projects.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Able to think laterally and produce original materials.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to work flexibly in a team with enthusiasm and commitment
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access computer programs preferred.
• Qualifications and Experience: A good knowledge of PC packages, particularly Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Good presentation and communication skills.
• Experience of writing persuasive letters or proposals
• Interest in MTCT aims and objectives and a passion to do something about it.
• Understanding of, and sympathy with, the overall aims of MTCT.
• Personal qualities required:
• An interest and commitment to fighting sexual exploitation
• Good interpersonal skills, you will be friendly, professional and have a persuasive manner
• Excellent written and verbal skills
• Self-motivated
• Strategic and thorough in recording details
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills
• Experience of managing simple databases in Excel
• Excellent attention to detail
• Previous experience of working or volunteering in the not-for-profit sector, is desirable but not essential
• Previous experience in fundraising/event management is desirable but not essential

Job Description

• To work with the Fundraising Sub- Committee to maintain and develop income through support and planning of initiatives
• To help research new funding/grants potentialparticularly with Trusts, Foundations and Corporate donors
• To help support Individual Fundraisers and those taking part in MTCT and other public events such as marathons and other sporting events with fundraising packs
• To help manage the fundraising database and support the Fundraising Sub-Committee with all administrative tasks
• To help in the design and marketing of our events to include developing promotional material and fundraising packs andonline campaigns
• Commitment to work within the policies and procedures of MTCT and the ethos of our organisation.

Next Steps

If you are interested in coming on board as a Volunteer Fundraiser, please email Grainne Jennings Director [email protected] for further information.

We may need to make an application on your behalf for Garda Vetting. Details of Garda Vetting can be found at vetting.garda.ie