This year’s National Volunteering Week theme is ‘Connecting Communities’.
Most people understand what volunteers do from the perspective of the beneficiaries. This National Volunteering Week, we’re celebrating the power of volunteering to enrich our communities, bridge social divides, and create opportunities for meaningful connection.
Volunteering is an act of profound generosity that can transform our communities into more diverse, dynamic, and welcoming spaces. There is a multiplier effect from volunteering that impacts on the volunteers themselves and on the wider community. By offering our time and skills to support the needs of others, we not only strengthen our communities, but also deepen our own sense of belonging and connection.
Some of our volunteers have taken the time to express the relevance of volunteering in their own lives.
Trisha was something of an accidental volunteer when she took advantage of a chance encounter with a Volunteer Centre outreach event in her local library to explore opportunities for volunteering, where she could utilise her considerable work experience. The rest, as they say, is history.
Hi, my name is Éanna Dowling and I volunteer with Waterford for Nature as a Board Member with Responsibility for Funding. The position allows me to pursue my interest in nature and biodiversity while learning more about the many habitats and species that Waterford County offers. I'm in my 50s and previously worked in the Community and Environmental sectors, so I can draw on my experiences of writing grant applications and project management to support Waterford for Nature's activities. The group documents sightings of species; provides nesting boxes for swifts and barn owls; and is actively exploring opportunities for rewilding areas.
Volunteering allows me to meet some really interesting people and also to interact with agencies like the Leader Partnership and the County Council. Waterford for Nature is a completely voluntary group but our aspirations align with those agencies so it's a very exciting time to develop projects that conserve and enhance biodiversity locally. I try to give 8 hours a week to Waterford for Nature, mostly from home doing research, grant applications and the communications and admin that goes with it. But the group meets in person too, and I have attended many meetings and networking events, all of which are good for me, good for Waterford, and good for Mother Earth !
I recommend volunteering, it's enhanced my well being and given me loads of opportunities to get to know people and to make a significant contribution to community life.
Halyna Makarova has been registered with Waterford Volunteer Centre for many years and, over that time has volunteered for several opportunities. As a Ukrainian who has been living and working in Waterford City for many years, she was eager to help when fellow Ukrainians arrived in Waterford last year. She volunteered as a translation assistant at informational events providing information on the services available within the community. She recently helped out at the School Summit; an event held in SETU Arena providing information to secondary school students.
Her friendly smile is the perfect welcome for all that meet her. She enjoys meeting new people while contributing to the community and both these boxes were ticked by volunteering for Family Carer’s Ireland fundraising event.
"I find volunteering amazing! It has many surprising benefits. Best of all it brings me sense of community and provides opportunity to meet new people."
Fiona has volunteered as a Brownie Leader with Moresby Brownies in Abbeyside for over ten years. Like many leaders, she joined when her eldest daughter was a Brownie and has stayed the course. Fiona also volunteers as Area Commissioner for Molana, sitting on the regional committee. When asked what it is that keeps her volunteering as a Brownie Leader, Fiona says “Volunteering with the Brownies allows me to make a difference that I can see while learning new skills. I enjoy watching the girls grow in confidence over the year as we take part in games and activities. Each girl has an opportunity to shine and excel as the programme is varied and doesn’t rely on a single talent or skill. Irish Girl Guides is an organisation that is for everyone; and everyone benefits, the girls and the leaders”.
Caroline joined St Augustine’s Guides as a Unit Helper in 2021 when the Unit was struggling to find leaders and enjoyed it so much that she became a Leader. Despite being a busy, working mum of four, Caroline travels over 20km each way every week to run the Guiding programme in Abbeyside. “Volunteering as a Guide Leader is hard work, but it is also extremely rewarding. I am amazed at the dedication of the girls in completing their badgework and there is always excitement and adventure on our outings. In the beginning, there were girls that knew much more about Guiding than I did but I have learned so much over the last few years and I like to think I have helped some of the girls that come to meetings every week. I think anyone that has the chance to volunteer should do it”.
Donna first came to us for assistance with the recruitment of volunteers for her organisation, to work with people who have support needs. She had first hand knowledge of the positive impact that volunteering has on those who benefit directly from a volunteers time. Despite a busy work and home life she now finds the time to volunteer herself.
"I'm currently working as a volunteer coordinator whilst also volunteer as a board member. I would encourage everyone to volunteer. One of the greatest gifts you can give is your time."
Hi, my name is Catherine and I'm a volunteer with ALONE. I call once a week to Mary to chat . She is 92 and her husband only went into a nursing home in the last year. She doesn't drive and hardly any bus service in her area . I know she looks forward to seeing me just to tell me about her week and she loves to hear about mine.
We went out for coffee last Friday and the sun was shining ,not such a treat for me but she loved it . I'm just about to retire from work so this is as much for me as it is for Mary . I want to keep myself well and active so volunteering is the way to go .
