Depaul Ireland is a charity supporting people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. We are a cross border organisation established in the Republic of Ireland in 2002 and Northern Ireland in 2005. Depaul Ireland is part of Depaul International, a group of charities working to support people who are homeless and marginalised around the world. Our services span Community and Outreach, Vulnerable Families, Harm Reduction Accommodation services and Criminal Justice and Mental Health Services . Our services are low threshold and some have been the first of their kind. Within the values of the work of Depaul Ireland lies a holistic approach to each individual with whom we work. This involves providing emotional support in addition to physical and practical services. It is within this structure of support that the work of our volunteer programme is vital. In particular, some of the Erasmus + priorities cover themes and issues that our volunteers and service users have been involved in. For example, promoting awareness of homelessness issues to the public, developing healthier lifestyle activities within our projects, encouraging service users to develop skills and knowledge for future employment and study and exploring and celebrating culture through art, food and dialogue. Objectives of our project: The volunteer programme was established to enable both local individuals and young people from other countries via Erasmus + to become involved with the work of the organisation. The programme aims to develop the skills and experience of volunteer, provide our service users with opportunities whilst simultaneously enabling Depaul Ireland to offer a more multifaceted approach to our service. • Develop new ideas and skills from a diverse range of volunteers. • Involve volunteers in mutually beneficial activities that can also be shared with our Partners and stakeholders. • Support social dialogue and cultural awareness. • Highlight Social Exclusion Issues - homelessness, poverty, barriers to education & employment etc. • Share Depaul Ireland working practices such as Harm Reduction, Low Threshold approaches and Holistic practice. • Quip volunteers and service users with skills and confidence to be active citizens. Number & profile of participants: Four EVS volunteers from 4 programme countries. Two of whom are of fewer opportunities due to geographic and economic barriers. Description of activities: The EVS volunteers were hosted across three homeless supported accommodation services (Stella Maris, Cloverhill & Mater Dei). The volunteers developed and facilitated over the 11 months a varied programme of diversionary and worthwhile activities. These activities encouraged our service users to develop new skills and interests, support harm reduction to tackle unhealthy behaviours, explore cultural identity and support participation in the project and the local community they will return to. Staff, local volunteers, students and the general public also benefited from interacting with the volunteers to increase cultural dialogue, increase their awareness of the benefits of volunteering (including the Erasmus + programme) and gain a better understanding of the issues that homeless people face. >Healthier Activities Promotion - this would include daily activities such as the healthy breakfast club, trips out, walks, active games. >Inter-generational Days - a project to increase an understanding between generations of the family services and local elderly groups. The event included food, song and a sharing of stories. EVS promoted their cultures too and the Depaul Ukraine project. >Depaul International Ukraine Project - to promote a better understanding of Depaul Ukraine including cultural awareness, solidarity between both countries service users and an art project. >The Volunteer "quotable" project. Photography project to increase awareness of EVS and the benefits of volunteering. >EVS & Volunteer Promotions. The volunteers engaged with numerous external and Depaul events that engaged the wider public. This increased dialogue about EVS, shared learning about culture and promoted a better understanding of homelessness, Depaul's work and the role of the volunteer in services. Results and impact attained: Increased understanding of the impact of volunteering for skills development, employment and active citizenship Increased awareness of homelessness / exclusion issues & practice Increased understanding of different cultures We would also expect wider good practice sharing with our partners and an increase in young people making informed choices about Erasmus +, active citizenship and volunteering or employment. The Projects would also be used to promote Depaul Ireland Working practices such as Low Threshold approaches, harm reduction and holistic working styles. Our EVS volunteers also return to their home country equipped with skills and knowledge that will benefit their local community.