Gay Switchboard Ireland is hosting an Open Day on July 5 to answer questions from people interested in volunteering with the service.

The aim of the day is to attract new volunteers to the service who want to offer their support even if they don’t want to become a telephone volunteer, though people interested in becoming a phone support volunteer will also be welcome.

The Open Day will be at Outhouse, Capel Street, Dublin from 1-3pm on Saturday July 5, 2014. Existing Switchboard staff and volunteers will be on hand to answer questions about the service and how new volunteers can get involved.

“There’s a lot of people interested in volunteering for Gay Switchboard Ireland who don’t necessarily want to take calls,” said newly elected Gay Switchboard Ireland Director Maria Keogh. “This Open Day gives us the opportunity to meet potential new volunteers in person and for them to decide if volunteering for Gay Switchboard Ireland is for them. If anyone is interested in becoming a phone support volunteer they’re more than welcome to come along and talk to us as well about the process and what is involved.”

The organisation, which celebrates its 40th Anniversary this year, has seen an upsurge in new volunteer queries and their last recruitment drive for new phone volunteers received their biggest ever response.

“The phone support remains at the heart of what we do and we’ll be running a new recruitment period for telephone volunteers again this autumn,” said Maria. “We’re delighted that so many people want to give up their time to help support us and their community in whatever way they can and we look forward to meeting many of them at our Open Day.”

The Open Day is open to all who want find out more about volunteering for Gay Switchboard Ireland. No appointment is necessary, just call in.

For more information contact:

Tony Cooney, Gay Switchboard Ireland Training Coordinator on [email protected]