volunteering

Staff in Leitrim Volunteer Centre wrote to Changing Ireland to emphasise the importance of volunteering for integrating diverse newcomers into the community.

Community development workers and volunteers have been thanked for their "vital" work and their "staggering" output amidst unprecedented challenges.

Tetiana (Tania) Kovalova from Ukraine has been working with Sisk to build modular homes for fellow refugees. Her work in Ireland fuels her dream of one day helping to rebuild Ukraine.  She has been working since the first week she landed in Shannon Airport in May 2022. She came here devastated over what she left behind, nervous of what lay ahead, carrying a small bag, her passport and €300 in savings. She came alone, speaking no English.

National Volunteer Week is a week-long celebration of volunteering that takes place from Monday, May 15 to Sunday, May 21. Each year across Ireland, National Volunteering Week features a range of events that showcase all that is great about volunteering, from yoga to coffee mornings and seminars.

A Cork man had a woman in tears recently, yet it was a joyful occasion, one of many facilitated by local volunteers who welcome people of Irish ancestry through Ireland Reaching Out. The community-based, not-for-profit organisation provides three services, all without charge, and, this year, they aim to double the number of people availing of their meet and greet service.

A fortnight on from US president Joe Biden’s visit to Ballina and on the eve of Mayo Day 2023, it’s worth acknowledging the voluntary effort that makes such events possible. It certainly impressed The White House which was taken aback by the “calibre and number” of volunteers who stepped forward to welcome home Ballina’s famous son. “They couldn't understand how we could mobilise over 200 people within a couple of days,” said Sheila Garvin, volunteer co-ordinator for Ballina 2023.

Offaly Volunteer Centre officially opened its doors at Bury Quay, Tullamore, on Friday, March 4th. As chairperson Martin Buckley, founder member of Pullough Community Shop which recently won the ‘Unsung Hero of Offaly’ award, said, “The future of Offaly volunteering is well and truly established and I am proud to be part of something that is outstanding.”

“I had thirteen children hanging out of my car one time and the guards stopped us. ‘Where are ye going?’ one of them roared. Luckily, one of our team managers was a guard – he said ‘Do no more about it. He’s taking children off the road.’” – recalls Billy Grehan. Above: Billy and Margaret attending a match.