Speaking from experience, volunteering at Mother Tongues Language Explorer Workshops is one of the most enriching experiences that you could ever imagine, as you will be given the opportunity to assist an artist in a fun and creative environment, meet like-minded people and feel the sense of community that is created with the families each and every week, and you will play a vital role in helping to bring the magic to the workshops for the multilingual children and their families!

Volunteering at a series of Language Explorers sessions in an inner city Family Resources Centre was as educational for me as it was for the families who participated. I loved watching children becoming increasingly comfortable with each other, with the set up, the routine that Kata established gently but expertly. Communing in multilingualism is what gives young children the best foundations to feel at ease with their identity, and belong within the wider community. I loved how we were all different, all welcome, and all open to me linguistic experiences.

Once again I want to thank you guys for the opportunity given to me to meet with those amazing and brilliant kids and families. As a new person in Ireland making friends or being belong is so difficult but volunteering with you really helped! Some of the children even recognize me from the street and shopping center. All that brings me joy and the sense of belonging.

Participating and volunteering with Mother Tongues was a wonderful opportunity for me to get experience in working with children and families, and to have a wonderful time with the artists and the very friendly members of Mother Tongues, so I think it is a good opportunity for everyone who looking for gain a great experience and providing a helping hand to the community.

Volunteering at Mother Tongues has been an incredibly rewarding experience. The team is welcoming, organised, and truly passionate about their work. I felt supported every step of the way and left feeling that my participation had been helpful. I would highly recommend volunteering at Mother Tongues!

In my point of view, the experience of volunteering in the Language Explorers workshops was amazing. First of all, even though I am living in Clondalkin area I did not know about the library space, which is very rich even for adults and for children. In addition, it was possible to make some connection with the artist, parents, exchange some greetings in different languages with the kids, moreover, to acquire also the experience of being a volunteer hostess for the guests.

Volunteering at the Language Explorers workshops has been an enriching experience! Meeting new faces, recognising the returning families week after week, and seeing the positive effects that arts have on both the children and their parents. I have seen first-hand how Mother Tongues’ workshops are safe spaces for families that have moved to Ireland from other countries, and as a volunteer, I too have experienced these safe spaces but in my own unique way! I truly enjoyed working with the artits, engaging with the families, and praising both the children and the parents for their spectacular works of art!

It was really nice to have this chance to do do this experience with Mother Tongues, especially as I am not a native English speaker. I met a lot of families and learnt how I can be proud of my origine.

Participating in this experience is unique and does us a lot of good! I recommend everyone to participate as a volunteer (or as a participant to those who have children) there they learn while having fun.