A Welcome Boost

(Referring professional, Galway)

100% of referring professionals believe Extern staff are flexible and responsive in meeting young people’s needs

This year saw Extern widen its volunteering recruitment to the Republic for the first time

While volunteers have played an active role in Extern’s projects for many years, it was in 2021-22 that the organisation approached the idea of recruiting at an island-wide level in order to further support the work of its frontline services.

100% of referring professionals believe Extern follow through on what they say they will do

(Parent of young service user, Limerick)

Following a comprehensive review of volunteering needs across the organisation, the Extern Extras programme launched in May 2021 with a special online event.

Building upon a successful recruitment drive in Northern Ireland during 2021, the programme was widened out in early 2022 to include the Republic of Ireland as part of Extern’s first-ever dedicated volunteer recruitment campaign there.

New opportunities were offered in Dublin, Cavan, Dundalk and Drogheda, including a new Youth Engagement volunteer role to support Extern’s staff teams to deliver workshops and activities to young people who are vulnerable or marginalised.

100% of referring professionals stated they would refer other young people to Extern

Extern’s award-winning Practice Development Unit also provided support with a bespoke training programme to prepare the new recruits for their roles.

The programme has continued to go from strength to strength, with plans for developing new roles and opportunities into the following year.