Longford Volunteer Centre 2012

Monday May 14, 2012 - Issued by Volunteer Ireland

Longford Volunteers Give Support to National Volunteering Week

Volunteers across Longford were today (Monday, May 14) beginning a week long campaign of organised community events and acts of charity, as National Volunteering Week got underway.

Launching the week, Longford Volunteer Centre Manager Terri Doherty said it's not too late to get involved and encouraged people to take the opportunity to support their communities.

"Events are continuing until next Sunday so there is still time to join in, or register a project. People can log on to www.volunteer.ie, or contact the Longford Volunteer Centre to find out what's on locally." The Centre is based in Longford Town.

Volunteer Ireland, which is co-ordinating the campaign nationally, announced details of a survey it carried out in advance of National Volunteering Week.

In the survey of more than 500 active volunteers, 43% said that 'personal belief for a cause' was the most important part of their decision to volunteer, followed by the 'organisation's values and principles' (24%) and the 'experience people will gain' (21%).

76% of participants said that volunteering was either 'essential' or 'very important' for the future of their community. The survey also found that being involved in volunteering brings positive benefits to people themselves with 98% responding that 'volunteering makes them a happier person'.

For the past five years volunteers have participated in charity and community projects on National Day of Volunteering with 10,000 people taking part last year. This year the campaign has been expanded to a week, making it easier for volunteers, organisations and companies to get involved.

National Volunteering Week is being co-ordinated nationally by Volunteer Ireland and delivered locally through the 22 local Volunteer Centres. The flagship project for 2012 is a National Inland Waterways Clean up. National Volunteering Week is supported by Irish Rail. More at www.volunteer.ie.

Further Information:
Terri Doherty, Manager, Longford Volunteer Centre: (087) 291 5367.
Ronan Cavanagh, Cavanagh Communications: (086) 317 9731 / Phil Boughton: Volunteer Ireland: (085) 742 7017.

About Volunteer Ireland
Volunteer Ireland is the national volunteer development agency and a representative body for all local Volunteer Centres in Ireland. Volunteer Ireland's vision is for an Irish society in which everyone who wants to has access to meaningful volunteering opportunities and where the contribution of volunteering is valued and recognised as an intrinsic component of active citizenship.

Over 100 Opportunities to make a difference in Longford this Summer!
100 people registered so far this year with the Longford Volunteer Centre

20 August, 2012: Longford Volunteer Centre has seen over 100 volunteers register with the centre so far this year. Following the success of Ireland’s first National Volunteering Week in May, interest in volunteering remains at a high.
Of those registered with the Volunteer Centre this year, 37 volunteers have already been placed in roles and begun volunteering. Since Longford Volunteer Centre opened in 2007 volunteers placed by the Centre have contributed thousands of hours of voluntary work to community groups and charities across the county.

(Click on image to enlarge)

Terri Doherty, Co-ordinator of Longford Volunteer Centre said “So far 2012 has been a great year for volunteering in Longford. The summer months provide a great reminder of how valuable volunteering is in Ireland. This summer over 400 festivals and community events will take place across the country, all of which rely heavily on the tireless efforts and dedication of volunteers.
“The London 2012 Olympic Games also provide a great reminder of the impact of volunteers, not just because of the 75,000 volunteers required to help run the Games, but the thousands of volunteers in sports clubs across Ireland who help Irish athletes train week in week out. For every Olympic success story, there are countless volunteers whose hard work and commitment have helped each athlete reach the Olympic stage. Volunteers play a vital role in Irish sport, arts, culture and community.”

Terri continued “For those interested in volunteering, it couldn’t be easier to get started – visit www.volunteerlongford.ie, call 087-2915367/087-77594770 or drop in to our Volunteer Centre at 6 Earl Street register as a volunteer. We have 95 active opportunities for volunteers that range from once off roles with little time commitment required, to longer term roles working with Longford based community groups, organisations and charities.

Longford Volunteer Centre is a member of Volunteer Ireland. Volunteer Ireland works to promote, facilitate and celebrate volunteering in Ireland. For more information please visit volunteer.ie