Young people come from all over the world each year to the Greenhill YMCA, an outdoor centre tucked away in Northern Ireland at the foot of the Slieve Donard Mountain. Group of young people outdoors

Outings are popular and a fun way for volunteers to explore the area and get to know each other.Whether they’re on a gap year or looking to learn new skills, dozens of young volunteers apply each year to be a part of Greenhill. As the YMCA Ireland national outdoor centre, Greenhill offers a spectacular setting of mountains, forest and sea.

The Greenhill YMCA welcomes young adults to run year-round and summer programmes. The newest group arrived in January, and the volunteers come from Brazil, South Korea, Malawi, Germany, and more.

Greenhill has had international volunteers since the 1970s, and it’s a fantastic experience for them and our staff”, said Alejandra Arcila, the Greenhill Marketing and Communications officer in charge of volunteers. “All our programmes are youth-led. We hold them for organised groups such as schools, churches, youth and community groups during the year, and we bring in additional volunteers for our summer Adventure Camps”.

With the opportunity to make lifelong friends, learn new skills and inspire young people, volunteers say they cherish the memories they make. Said Gabriela Ferreira, a volunteer from Brazil, “To be a Greenhill YMCA Volunteer is life-changing.”

Greenhill has had international volunteers since the 1970s, and it’s a fantastic experience for them and our staff”, said Alejandra Arcila, the Greenhill Marketing and Communications officer in charge of volunteers. “All our programmes are youth-led. We hold them for organised groups such as schools, churches, youth and community groups during the year, and we bring in additional volunteers for our summer Adventure Camps”.

With the opportunity to make lifelong friends, learn new skills and inspire young people, volunteers say they cherish the memories they make. Said Gabriela Ferreira, a volunteer from Brazil, “To be a Greenhill YMCA Volunteer is life-changing.”