Five Minute Focus On: Charlotte Jones, Irish Youth Foundation

Tell us about yourself?

My name is Charlotte Jones, and I started with the Irish Youth Foundation in April 2018. I had previously lived in Belfast working in the tourism industry.

Tell us about the Irish Youth Foundation (IYF)?

The Irish Youth Foundation exists to make a positive difference to the lives of vulnerable children and young people living in Ireland. We provide financial support in the form, of grants to local community and voluntary youth groups working with at-risk and disadvantaged children, such as afterschool and homework clubs, summer programmes, sporting clubs, creative education projects and active citizenship activities. These groups provide safe places where children can go after school – to grow, to learn and to play.

What is your role in the company?

I am the Fundraising and Events Executive. We are a small team of three and I support the planning and execution of all fundraising campaigns and events.

Tell us something about the IYF that we may not know?

In 2018 we supported 117 projects across Ireland. This had a direct impact on 8806 children and young people living in disadvantaged circumstances.

What’s next for the IYF?

We have our annual Bloomsday Messenger Bike Rally and Lunch on June 7. We have around 100 people dressed up in Edwardian attire cycling around the city and finishing for lunch in the Round Room at the Mansion House. It’s a fabulous day and always raises a fantastic amount for the IYF.

What do you think is the future of work?

Glandore is the perfect example of where different types of work can connect. It is nice to see different sectors branching out and making connections with each other. For charities such as the IYF, these connections are a fantastic way of getting our name and our mission out there.

What do you like about being a Glandore Member?

The sense of community that comes with working in shared office space. It’s so lovely to get to know such a variety of people working in different sectors. I feel that there’s a great balance of a professional yet casual feel here at Glandore, which creates a great working environment.

What do like about living and working in Dublin?

I only moved to Dublin last year but I love living here. It’s such a vibrant city with so much to see and do. I think I’m very lucky to be based in a Glandore office- I love walking through the city centre every morning to work!

The Irish Youth Foundation provide opportunities for children and young people from disadvantaged and underserved communities to succeed and excel in their lives. In the last 30 years the IYF has raised over €20 million and supported more than 2,000 projects on the island of Ireland, reaching 50,000 young people directly. For more information visit iyf.ie.