Madam, - Readers who were interested in the article "A Change of Life for the Better", (Life Features, April 12th), on over-50s who volunteer to work abroad, may also be interested in hearing about Comhlámh's Volunteer Options 21 programme.
Comhlámh, which is the Irish Association of Development Workers, is developing this programme in response to the large demand for overseas volunteer opportunities among Irish people of all ages. Volunteer Options 21 is funded by Development Co-operation Ireland and aims to promote best practice in the sector and to support volunteers in a longer-term, ongoing commitment to development.
Among the services we can offer potential volunteers are short training workshops and free one-to-one information and advice. For people who have returned to Ireland after volunteering abroad, we also offer comprehensive support and advice services.
And, as part of Comhlámh's 30th-birthday celebrations, we will be launching a website and publication in 2005 that will include directories of organisations that place volunteers overseas. Further information about all areas of our work is available at www.comhlamh.org. - Yours, etc.,
DERVLA KING, Volunteer Options Information Officer, Comhlámh, Upper Camden Street, Dublin 2.