The Ireland Funds - Your Money at Work : Carmichael Center for Voluntary Groups

Carmichael Center for Voluntary Groups

Kate O'Sullivan, Carmichael Center

accommodation and office services to small voluntary organizations

Carmichael Center for Voluntary Groups provides accommodation and services to small national voluntary organisations working at the cutting edge in areas such as disability, illness, education, the arts, the environment and social care.

Founded in 1988, we provide a total package of supports in an environment that promotes active citizenship and mutual support.
This includes office space, administrative support, IT assistance, management training and organisational support at moments of crisis.

At present, Carmichael Centre is home to 45 voluntary groups. In addition the Centre provides facilities and services to a further 350 organisations so that they can operate efficiently and cost effectively.

Carmichael Centre is the first, largest and busiest shared facility for charities in Ireland

"Poverty may not always be about 'lack of money'. It may be about social or cultural poverty, or a more specific need."
- Kate O'Sullivan, Carmichael Center

Support from The Ireland Funds goes towards the development of a dedicated training and support service where organizations can access information, advice, mentoring or other assistance relevant to the management of small, voluntary or community groups.

In addition, a grant has been used to restore the façade of the organizations' building, which is listed as a landmark building in Dublin's inner city.

Carmichael Centre for Voluntary Groups Aims

To nurture and support the development of small voluntary groups
To develop best practice standards among small voluntary organisations.
To create a link to policy makers, empowering groups to progress their own agenda and acting as a representative voice for small voluntary organisations on matters of common interest and sectoral interest.
To create a vibrant learning environment for organisations.
To be recognised as a Social Enterprise Support Centre in the social economy and to transfer the Carmichael Centre model of work/partnership/self-help in order to enhance and support the work of small voluntary groups in Ireland.
To contribute to the eradication of poverty and social exclusion in society in general and in the local area in which we are based in particular.

Carmichael Center for Voluntary Groups Website >

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Activities of the Centre include:

The provision of office space to small voluntary organisations, a postal address for nine groups which are not members of the Centre, conference/meeting and catering facilities, administrative and information services

The provision of staff and training to member groups and local organisations through Community Employment.

The provision of training in the management of small organisations, and the provision of operational and strategic organisational supports

The provision of computer training courses in a 10 unit computer room.

Monthly facilitated meetings of the In-House Forum where groups can network and access information drawing support from one another.

Volunteering Ireland - Ireland's first resource centre for the promotion of volunteering in society, which offers a placement service for individuals and organisations