“I am so glad to had an opportunity to be volunteering at Corrymeela, I had two fantastic weeks of volunteering. I was sad to leave and to say goodbye to all the people. My regards to all of you, and all the best for your works, hoping to come back soon.   If I say truly, my time at Corrymeela is one of the golden times I had in my life. Although I had previous experience with multi-ethnic, multi-culture and multi-nation groups,  I got in Corrymeela something different. This experience was a bit challenging but very interesting.” -Sajeer from Sri Lanka, Summer Volunteer

Who can be a volunteer?
The minimum age for a short-term volunteer is 16 years; long-term volunteers must be 18. Beyond that, all that is required is enthusiasm, motivation, willingness to learn, and sympathy with our ethos. Corrymeela welcomes applications from volunteers of all nationalities, ages and abilities/disabilities. It is not required that volunteers be Christian. For some volunteer positions, specific skills are needed.

Can I fit volunteering at Corrymeela into my family/school/work schedule?
We are committed to helping people find the right volunteering placement for them, so if you are open to the variety of volunteering roles, then we can probably find a position that fits the time you can give. This is why we have different categories of volunteering: long-term volunteering, mid-term volunteering, short-term volunteering, and summer volunteering. You can learn more about each of these opportunities under the "volunteering" section on our website.

What type of work do volunteers do?
Since 1965, volunteers have been at the heart of Corrymeela and involved in every aspect of our activities. Your experience could include hosting groups, planning activities, preparing and serving meals, gardening, leading discussions and worship, housekeeping, giving tours of the Centre, administrative tasks, driving the Corrymeela minibus (D1 license required), and much, much more. More specifically, long-term volunteers are part of a team which throughout the year is involved with all tasks of welcoming and facilitating groups, summer volunteers are assigned to specific teams (arts & crafts, recreation, kitchen & housekeeping, or group links), and mid-term and short-term volunteers are matched to positions based on interests, skills, and the needs of the Corrymeela Community.

Are volunteers provided with food and accommodation?
If you are a short term volunteer, meals are provided while you are volunteering alongside overnight accommodation at the Centre if necessary. If you are a summer, mid-term, or long-term volunteer, meals and accommodation are provided. Summer volunteers from outside the UK and Ireland are invited to make a £5/day contribution towards room and board. Accommodation will be shared with other volunteers and bed linens are provided.

What are the costs of volunteering?
For short term volunteers, local travel expenses can be reimbursed through Corrymeela. Long-term volunteers from outside the UK and Ireland are invited to make a contribution towards the programme. We do encourage long-term volunteers to contribute £1000 raised through sponsorship or fundraising, not from personal resources. Please note that this is not mandatory nor will the offer of a place on the programme be conditional on your ability to make this contribution. A monthly expense reimbursement of £120 is provided to long-term volunteers to cover incidental expenses.

How long can I stay at Corrymeela?
Long-term volunteers stay for a duration of 12 months and short-term volunteers can give a few hours for many years, depending on their interest and availability. Summer volunteers are expected to commit a minimum of 1 week and up to 3 weeks. The length of stay of mid-term volunteers is determined on a case-by-case basis.  Typically, this is for a period of 6-8 weeks.

Where is Corrymeela and how do I get there?
Most of our volunteers work at the Corrymeela Centre in Ballycastle, on the beautiful North Antrim coast. The site is within walking distance of the Ballycastle Beach and a short drive from sites such as the Giant’s Causeway, Dunluce Castle, the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, and the Glens of Antrim. Public transportation options can be viewed at www.translink.co.uk.

What connections do past volunteers have with Corrymeela after their volunteering is over/What are they up to now?
Although it is always sad to say goodbye to volunteers in the Corrymeela Community, we are confident they have had an enriching experience that will stay close to their hearts for years to come.  Some volunteers in the past have gone on to:
-Help start various education based initiatives in  
 Guatemala and Kenya
-Become the Program Co-ordinator of Corrymeela
-Qualify as a History teacher at Queen's University
-Become a Criminologist
-Become "friends" of Corrymeela
-Become a manager for a youth development agency

What can I expect to gain from volunteering at Corrymeela?
Volunteering with Corrymeela will provide you with a wide range of new experiences and help you develop
existing skills and learn new things.  In addition to learning in specific areas of work, there is also the opportunity for personal development through working with such a diverse range of groups and alongside people from all over the world.

How do I apply to be a volunteer?
Simply download an application form under the "Volunteering" section on our website and complete it.  At the time of application, you will need 2 written references. These forms can be submitted separately or together, and may be emailed or sent by post. Before beginning your service, a criminal background check will be required. For applicants from the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, this means an AccessNI check. For applicants from outside these two countries, such documentation can normally be obtained from your local police service for a small fee.

“Corrymeela is a place of respect and safety where people with different backgrounds have a chance to meet each other on a neutral basis. Volunteering is a great and fruitful experience. It helps you get to know better yourself and it broadens your view in regards of other cultures.”
–Melanie from Austria, Short-Term Volunteer

Who can I contact to learn more about volunteering with Corrymeela?
Long-term or Mid-term Volunteering:
volunteering@corrymeela.org

Short-term or Summer Volunteering:
volunteersupport@corrymeela.org

Feel free to phone us on +44 (0) 28 207 62626 to discuss volunteering or the application process.