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Volunteer Delivery Driver (Newtownsmith & Augustine St)

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Location: Newtownsmith Galway H91 HY4E / St. Augustine Street Galway H91 FP4F 

Times and commitment: Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday 10am-4pm, 3-month minimum commitment  

Reporting to: Charity Shop Manager  

Level of English required: Intermediate

Service description

The COPE Galway Charity Shop is run by a paid manager, assistant manager and a team of around 40 volunteers, who kindly donate their time and effort. 

The shop sells donated furniture, ladies’, men’s and children’s clothes, accessories and jewellery, books, CDs/DVDs. The shop is a vital source of revenue for our services. 

What’s involved?

Key tasks:

  • Assist with furniture collections and deliveries by driving the COPE Galway delivery van.
  • Careful and respectful handling of all goods to ensure minimum losses.
  • Ensure great care is taken when carrying furniture into and from customers’ homes.

This role requires heavy lifting and moving furniture

We encourage our shop volunteers to develop an understanding of all aspects of the shop's work so that they can support the whole team as necessary. 

The duties outlined in this job description may be subject to review in the future. 

Special Requirements

  • Volunteers Drivers must have a full clean category B driving licence. If a driver is under 23 or over 69 years of age COPE Galway needs to inform its insurance company.
  • Notify if you have more than 4 penalty points.
  • Notify us if you have been prosecuted or convicted of a motoring offence within the past 5 years.
  • Notify us if you have had a motor insurance policy declined, cancelled, refused renewal, or had special terms imposed.
  • Notify us if you have a medical condition that could affect your ability to drive

Note: All the above will be considered during the interview process.

  • Driving licences need to be viewed annually to ensure appropriate insurance coverage.
  • Undertake an induction in the Minibus driving.

NB – Driving a COPE Galway Van is NOT the same as driving a car; it requires different levels of knowledge, skill and awareness. It also carries different legal responsibilities which named drivers will have been made aware of.

Personal Specification

  • Honest and reliable with a warm and friendly manner.
  • Careful attention to detail.
  • Good communication skills.
  • Ability to understand and apply health and safety requirements.
  • Have an interest in the shop and an enthusiasm for raising money through its work.
  • An understanding of the work of Cope Galway.
  • We welcome volunteers with experience but it’s not essential.

What will you get out of it?

  • Join a fun, welcoming team while meeting and working with new people.
  • The opportunity to develop social and experiential competencies such as
  • Developing knowledge and gaining practical experience relative to this role.
  • Gaining communication and customer service skills.
  • Building confidence.
  • Adding valuable experience to your CV.
  • References available once the minimum commitment has been made.
  • The option to access other training courses as appropriate to the role.
  • The opportunity to contribute to a local Galway charity and help us realise our vision of creating a community where every person is valued, cared for and supported at every stage of life.
  • Great personal satisfaction since you can make a real difference to our service users.

What we would like from you

  • Willingness to work within the values and policies of COPE Galway.
  • Carry out your role in professional manner and maintain a respectful and courteous manner in dealing with clients
  • Maintain confidentiality in respect of all matters which come to their knowledge while volunteering
  • Please do not undertake duties outside this role description without checking first with your Volunteer Manager/Lead Worker.
  • Adhere to the “Volunteer Agreement” which includes their rights and responsibilities as outlined in our Volunteer Handbook.

Will there be induction and training?

  • You will receive a local induction and introduction to the role before you start.
  • You will be offered service specific training required for the role.

Other training includes:

  • Trauma Informed Practice (online module).

  • ‘Stop & Think’ Reflective Workshops.

  • You will have the opportunity to participate in ‘On-boarding Induction’ with fellow volunteers and staff.

  • Cope Galway will provide ongoing support and supervision through one-to-one and group meetings which you will be informed about while you are volunteering.

Recruitment Process

Successful applicants will be offered the volunteer role subject to 2 completed reference checks and Garda Vetting / Police Certs if required.
Volunteers commencing with COPE Galway are subject to a trial period.

Our Values, Our Work, Our People

Our Vision is a community where every person is valued, cared for, and supported at every stage of life.
Our Mission is to make a difference by empowering people, creating change and strengthening communities. COPE Galway is committed to becoming a Trauma Informed Organisation through an implementation plan that includes training for all staff and volunteers across all roles and departments.
Our People are supported by regular support and guidance, and access to our Employee/Volunteer Assistance Programme.

COPE Galway is committed to becoming a Trauma Informed Organisation through an implementation plan that includes training for all staff and volunteers across all roles and departments.

Everything we do is guided by the COPE Galway Approach to help us achieve our vision of a community where every person is valued, cared for and supported at every stage of life.