Sophie Breuker

Current occupation

Freelance trainer/ youth worker

Work experience

Employment History:

Oct 2013- present Irish National Agency's Trainer’s pool

• Member of the Irish trainers pool for Leargas (http://www.leargas.ie)
• EVS training cycle: On-arrival, Mid-way, and Evaluation training for returned volunteers, covering areas of non-formal learning and education, challenge and conflict management, intercultural learning, the Youthpass learning process including goal setting, rights and responsibilities, networking, managing expectations and support systems.
• Get Going on EVS: a long-term training course for NGOs new to EVS, topics covered included, accreditation, application writing, creating good partnerships, volunteer supports, and designing a quality EVS project from implementation to dissemination and reporting,
• DEOR and Eramsus+ information sessions.

Oct 2013- present Freelance trainer

• Design, implement, evaluate and report training courses within the Erasmus+ programme
• Using non-formal and informal learning processes as well as experimental learning
Recent training courses include:
• Life Love Youthpass 1&2: a successful 2 series training course, held in both Ireland and Spain was designed to develop competences of EVS mentors on how to engage EVS volunteers with their learning process, the Youthpass process. Both training involved partners from Euro-Med and programme countries
• Let’s Talk about EVS: This 5-day training course aimed to develop and enhance the ability of organisations to recognise and deal with conflict situations that can arise during the life cycle of European Voluntary Service (EVS). It brought together 25 EVS coordinators from both programme Euro-Med and EECA countries.
• Let’s Talk about the Unspoken: a training course aimed at youth organisation that work regularly with Youth exchange projects. The training used theatre and non-formal methods to develop the competences of youth workers to deal with conflict issues that may arise during an given youth exchange. In addition it supported organisation to develop a strategic plan, which could be implemented when a conflict arose. Involved 25 youth workers from EECA and programme countries
• Enact, ReEnact, and ENACT!: This training is in it’s 3rd round, and aims at engaging youth working with tool of theatre, outdoor methods and authentic communication to empower and engage young people with and within their communities. All these training work closely with partners from the Euro-Med, EECA and programme countries.
• The leader’s Journey: A 6-day training designed to increase novice youth leaders experience of leadership as well as managing long-term projects by creating strategic plans of action and become a valued member within their youth organisations.

Dec 2014 - Present, Afterschool Care Assistant in Educate Together Ltd, Galway

• Supervision of children from Junior Infants up to Class 6 who attend Afterschool Service and provide a happy environment that promotes excellent social skills, good behaviour and a balanced education through creative play.
• Work 1-to-1 with children on the autistic spectrum, developing an after school programme to meet their need, abilities and interest
• Work with and alongside colleagues to establish and maintain a caring and vibrant learning and social environment.
• Promote the care, education and welfare of all children attending the service.
• Preparation for the daily routine, including food preparations for all children in the service
• Develop appropriate partnerships with parents by ensuring they are kept fully informed about their children's development within the service

Sept 2004- Present: Fishbowl Youth, Clare International project trainer/facilitator

• Part-time special projects trainer/facilitator and
• Provide general support if and when needed, with drop-in service, and event management
• Founder member of Fishbowl Youth
• Support and mentor young people who want to volunteer in Europe with the Erasmus+ programme.
• Support and implement international activities and projects such as EU youth exchanges and Seminar in Ireland, Portugal, Uruguay

Dec 2013- Jan 2014 Foroige, Youth Café, Galway Youth Worker

• Providing information for young people on a wide variety of topics.
• After-schools project support work i.e. cooking, arts and crafts, outdoor activities – kayaking, mountain biking, cliff jumping and hill walking.
• Support the School completion programme in facilitating homework sessions
• Assist with projects in the Galway City Youth Café, Techspace, music, social evenings etc.
• Worked as part of a team of two planning, designing, presenting and facilitating group ‘Be Healthy, Be Happy programme’ which aimed at engaging you people with healthy life-style techniques.