Support for Individuals
Placement Supports
We provide free, confidential support to individuals across County Donegal at every stage of life. Whether you’re looking for work, building your skills, managing your health, or simply exploring what’s possible, our team is here to listen and help you take the next step. All of our supports are delivered locally, at no cost, and are tailored to your personal circumstances.
Finding and maintaining meaningful work is one of the most important steps towards independence and wellbeing. Our employment team offers one-to-one guidance, practical training, and access to work placement programmes, whether you’re re-entering the workforce, starting your own business, or building the confidence to take that first step.
Work Placement Programmes
We offer a range of work placement options for people who are long-term unemployed or receiving social welfare payments. The TÚS Programme provides short-term placements with community and voluntary organisations, while the Rural Social Scheme is specifically designed for people in farming or fishing who want to contribute to their local community. The Community Employment Childcare Scheme offers structured placements and training for those interested in a career in childcare. All placements provide real work experience and a pathway to longer-term employment.
Individual Placement and Support (IPS)
The IPS programme is a specialist employment service for people experiencing mental health difficulties. Working alongside Donegal Community Mental Health Services, our Employment Specialist provides personalised support, from identifying the right type of work and preparing your CV, to interview preparation and ongoing in-work support after you’ve secured a job. The only requirement is that you want to work. Age, health status, and work history are not barriers to accessing this service.
Good health is the foundation for everything else. Through our Sláintecare Healthy Communities Programme and SICAP, we deliver a range of free, community-based health and wellbeing supports across County Donegal, designed to be practical, inclusive, and accessible to everyone, regardless of background or circumstance.
Our supports include community food and nutrition programmes, the Healthy Food Made Easy cooking course, mindfulness and stress management classes, yoga, and mental health supports. All activities are delivered in local community settings and are designed to build confidence, strengthen social connections, and help you take positive steps towards better health within your everyday life.
It’s never too late to learn something new, build on your skills, or change direction. Our Lifelong Learning supports are available to adults and young people who are unemployed, feeling uncertain about next steps, or facing challenges such as low confidence, isolation, or difficulty accessing services. All support is free, confidential, and tailored to where you are right now.
Building Confidence and Skills
We offer one-to-one and group support to help you build confidence, develop practical life skills, and get back into a routine. Whether you need help with communication, motivation, or simply figuring out what direction to take, our team will work with you at your own pace. We also run group activities that reduce isolation and help you connect with others in similar situations.
Certified Courses and Training Pathways
We provide access to a wide range of certified short courses, including manual handling, first aid, HACCP, digital skills, customer service, and money management. We can also support you in finding sector-specific pathways in areas like construction, healthcare, and hospitality. For those who have recently moved to Ireland, we offer settlement support including information on local services, English language classes, and connections to community groups.
Raising a family brings its own challenges, and no one should have to face them alone. Through our SICAP-funded community programmes, we offer a range of parenting and family supports across County Donegal, covering topics like learning difficulties and dyslexia, internet safety, nutrition, and practical parenting skills.
Our programmes are delivered in community settings, making them easy to access and free of charge. They are designed to be supportive rather than prescriptive, giving parents the information, tools, and connections they need to feel more confident in their role and better equipped to support their children.
Volunteering is one of the most rewarding ways to give back to your community, develop new skills, and build connections. Since 2008, the Donegal Volunteer Centre has supported over 3,500 volunteers and connected them with more than 600 community groups across County Donegal.
Whether you have a few hours a week or a specific skill to share, we can match you with a volunteering opportunity that suits your interests and availability. Register through our i-vol platform to browse available placements, or contact our team directly for personalised guidance. Volunteering is open to everyone, no experience necessary.
Rural communities in County Donegal face unique challenges, from geographic isolation to limited access to services and economic opportunity. Through our LEADER Rural Development Programme, we provide guidance and planning support to help people living in rural areas of County Donegal access resources, improve their surroundings, and connect with opportunities that might otherwise feel out of reach.
LEADER funding of up to €200,000 is available for projects focused on rural infrastructure, social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and climate action. Whether you have an idea at concept stage or a project ready to develop, our team can help you shape your application and navigate the process. To find out more, contact our Rural Development team at rdpleader@dldc.org.
