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Volunteers clock up over 425,000 hours of voluntary work in 2011
Voluntary work equates to a value of over €9.2m Volunteer Ireland, the national volunteer development agency, today announced that over 11,600 volunteers registered with Volunteer Centres across the country in 2011, a 24% increase over 2010 registrations. Volunteer Centres work to match and place those interested in volunteering with suitable volunteering roles. Volunteers who registered in 2011 contributed over 425,000 hours of voluntary work to community groups and charities across Ireland. Using the average industrial wage, this work equates to a value of over €9.2 million. Of the volunteers that signed up in 2011, the most popular categories of volunteering opportunities were ‘Practical Work’, working with ‘Older People/ Active Retired’ and ‘Befriending’. One in five registrants last year were unsure of what they wanted to do, but knew they wanted to do something. 14% of volunteers that signed up last year wanted to volunteer to ‘give something back’. 11% of registrants were volunteering to improve skills. 63% of the volunteers who signed up with Volunteer Ireland last year had never volunteered before. Volunteers who sign up through Volunteer Centres are predominantly young, with 62% of volunteers under 35 and more than a third under 25 in 2011. Commenting on the success of 2011, Volunteer Ireland CEO Yvonne MCKenna said: “2011 was the European Year of Volunteering so we were particularly delighted to see a 24% increase in people registering with Volunteer Ireland last year. With volunteers contributing over 425,000 voluntary hours in 2011, it shows just how valuable volunteering is to the Irish economy. Volunteering offers people an opportunity to come together, learn new skills and make a real difference.” For those interested in volunteering, it’s easy to get involved. Call in to your local Volunteer Centre or visit www.volunteer.ie and find a volunteering opportunity near you. ===================================================================================================== Ireland second most charitable nation Ireland has been ranked the most charitable country in Europe and the second most charitable nation in the world, according to a new survey. The World Giving Index, compiled by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), showed 75 per cent of Irish people donated money to charity while 38 per cent volunteered their time each month. Ireland also had the highest percentage of residents who said they had "helped a stranger" the previous month, at 65 per cent. Last year, Ireland was in third place internationally in the index. The study showed a 3 per cent increase in volunteering amongst the Irish population this year. The report was compiled using Gallup polling information on the charitable behaviour of people in 153 nations and used three measures. These were "giving money", "volunteering time" and "helping a stranger". The survey ranked the US as the most charitable country followed by Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Thailand was the highest ranked country for "giving money" while Turkmenistan had the highest percentage of its population that volunteer time and Liberia came out top when it comes to "helping a stranger". “It is a great honour that Ireland’s ranking in the World Giving Index has risen to second place in the world and first place in Europe. It reveals that, in the context of economic catastrophe, our most precious natural resource – the instinct to give to others – is so strong," said Yvonne McKenna, chief executive of Volunteer Ireland. “Individually and collectively, 2011 has been another incredibly difficult year for many, many people in Ireland. As we near its end, however, the results of the World Giving Index survey provide a different narrative to our story, one that highlights we are first and foremost a society, not just an economy," she added. The index showed a 3 per cent increase in the number of Irish people giving time to volunteer and a 5 per cent rise in those giving time to help a stranger. The study also indicated that women in Ireland are more generous than Irish men when it comes to donating money but that men tend to volunteer more of their time. The latest index suggests the world has become a more charitable place over the last 12 months with a 2 per cent increase in the global population saying they helped a stranger and a 1 per cent increase in volunteering time. CAF attributed the 1 per cent overall decline in the numbers of people giving money to charity to the current global economic crisis. This article by Charlie Taylor was originally published on Irishtimes.com on Tuesday, 20th December 2011 Taken from Volunteer Irelands Website: http://www.volunteer.ie/Ireland-second-most-charitable.html ====================================================== Volunteer Ireland encourage Irish public to ‘give the gift of time’ and volunteer this Christmas Volunteer Ireland, the national volunteer development agency, today encouraged the Irish public
to give the gift of time this Christmas and volunteer for a charity or community group over the
projects across Ireland at Volunteer.ie, the country’s biggest online database of volunteering opportunities. From Carol Singers to Bucket Shakers, Christmas Day Chefs to Bag Packers, a wide range of volunteering projects are on offer to suit every interest. For those looking to work off the Xmas excess, a charity run or a New Year’s Day sea swim could be the ideal way of raising vital funds for a charity and having some festive fun. For a full list of opportunities available nationwidevisit www.volunteer.ie/christmas or visit your local Volunteer Centre.
Volunteer Ireland CEO, Yvonne McKenna said “Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year for volunteering. Each year our network of over 20 Volunteer Centres is inundated with calls from members of the public interested in volunteering over the festive season. In response, we’re highlighting a host of upcoming volunteering projects and events happening across the country on Volunteer.ie. It’s not too late to volunteer this Christmas, organisations across the country are seeking help and support over the coming weeks. For those who would like to make a difference this Christmas, visit www.volunteer.ie to get involved.”
For those who are short of time but would like to volunteer, Yvonne McKenna believes you don’t have to be affiliated with an organisation to help your community this Christmas, she said “Why not call in to an elderly neighbour you know and ask if you can pick up some groceries? Sometimes the simple gift of your time can be the most valuable.”
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Le Chéile Mentoring Project
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Parents First (Loais/Offaly Ltd) require Volunteers Volunteers are vetting and trained before they engage with families. In order to complete an effective training programme Parent’s First need to have between 8 and 10 suitable volunteers. If you are interested in becoming a Parent’s First Volunteer please contact
www.volunteeroffaly.ie or email '
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An Taoiseach encourages public to get involved in the National Day of Volunteering
Today, Friday September 30th is National Day of Volunteering. Thousands of volunteers are taking part in events nationwide to celebrate the day. An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny encouraged the public to get involved in the National Day of Volunteering stating “Voluntary activity is a significant part of how we harness the willingness of people of all ages to help make life better for ourselves and our neighbours. “By sharing experience and skills across all walks of life we ensure that our strong sense of community which has sustained us in the past will continue to thrive, particularly during these challenging times. Today is a celebration of neighbourliness and of a national volunteering spirit that has always been an intrinsic part of Irish life. ===================================================================================================
Read Dr Yvonne McKenna's, CEO of Volunteer Ireland, article about Volunteering "We can make a new Ireland, but everyone has to help" Yvonne McKenna's article was published by thejournal.ie in September 2011 ===================================================================================================
Public encouraged to take part in National Day of Volunteering 70% of those affected by downturn are more likely to volunteer People across the country were today rallied to get involved in the National Day of Volunteering which takes place on Friday, September 30th. Last year more than 8,000 volunteers participated in hundreds of charity and community projects across the country – and an even bigger number is anticipated this year. Research carried out by Volunteer Ireland in advance of the National Day of Volunteering has found that being affected by the economic downturn makes people more likely to volunteer. Among respondents who were either not working or working less as a result of the recession, almost 70% (69.2%) said that the change in their employment had made them more likely to volunteer. The research also found that what people most wanted from the organisation they volunteered for was to ‘be accepted as a valuable team member’ (48%), followed by receiving ‘feedback about their contribution’ (19%). Only 1% of the 500 respondents said they wanted public acknowledgement of the volunteering work they did. Almost half of respondents had third level qualifications (47%) and of those the most common field of study for volunteers was Arts and Social Sciences at 35%, followed by 20% from Business, 9% from Marketing & PR, 8% from IT and 7% from science. Interestingly, the majority of those surveyed responded that they were not volunteering in an area related to their studies (62%). Volunteer Ireland CEO Dr. Yvonne McKenna said that the survey was reflective of a growing particpiation in volunteering in Ireland and she highlighted the National Day of Volunteering as an opportunity for more people to try something different, have good fun and bring benefit to the community.
Join a world record attempt The flagship event of this year’s NDV is a national ‘Kint-a-thon’ which will see hundreds of knitters across the country attempt to break the world record for the most number of people knitting simultaneously. Dr. McKenna said: “the theme of this year’s campaign is to ‘stick to your knitting’ – that we harness our most natural resourse, the instinct to give time to others. To register to take part in the knitathon, to find an event in your area, or to register your own event, log on to www.volunteer.ie.” This year’s event marks the 5th annual National Day of Volunteering and is being supported by Pfizer, Irish Rail and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. 2011 is the European Year of Volunteering which included the recent volunteering roadshow in the RDS. These events have also helped incease the awareness and particpitation in volunteering. ================================================================================================ MARS PLAY YOUR PART FUND AWARDS €30,000 TO AUTISM ASSISTANCE DOGS IRELAND Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland (AADI) have been announced as the recipient of a €30,000 bursary as part of the Mars Play Your Part Campaign. AADI were selected as the recipient of the fund following the judging panel reviewing 730 entries submitted by volunteers all over Ireland. AADI have been in existence for over a year and the service provides highly trained assistance dogs free of charge for children with autism and their families. AADI relies exclusively on voluntary contributions and extensive fundraising as it does not receive any Government funding. It costs €15,000 to fully train an assistance dog so the €30,000 prize from Mars Ireland will make a real difference in these children’s lives. The judging panel for the award of the Mars Play Your Part Fund was made up of Fergus Finlay, Chairman of Volunteer Ireland, Sean Coughlan, CEO Social Entrepreneurs Ireland, Eavan Hayes, Product Group Manager of Mars Ireland and Pat Boyle – Department of the Environment Community and Local Government.
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National Cancer Screening Service The National Cancer Screening Service was established by the Minister for Health and Children in January 2007. The establishment followed the launch of a Strategy for Cancer Control in Ireland 2006(pdf file), which advocates a comprehensive cancer control policy programme in Ireland.
The Strategy examined prevention, screening, detection, treatment and management of cancer in Ireland in coming years and recommended the former Board of the National Cancer Screening Service. The National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS) encompasses BreastCheck - The National Breast Screening Programme and CervicalCheck - The National Cervical Screening Programme. The NCSS is currently preparing for the introduction of a colorectal cancer screening programme. The former Board of the NCSS also had a mandate that included a policy development and advisory role to the Minister for Health and Children relating to other potential cancer screening programmes. At the request of the Minister for Health and Children the former Board of the NCSS undertook a review of the Human Papolloma Virus (HPV) vaccines and reviews of the rationale for the introduction of national population based bladder, prostate and lung cancer screening programmes. The NCSS has also established an Expert Group on Hereditary Cancer Risk and has hosted the first ever interagency lung cancer research forum. Further Information on Cancer Screening Programme visit www.cancerscreening.ie Visit 'Find an Opportunity' to take part in 'Screening Advocate'
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volunteer! Make a difference The messages of EYV2011 are two-fold: To celebrate current volunteers for their efforts (recognition), in other words a ‘THANK YOU’ approach; and to empower new people to volunteer, the ‘YOU CAN’ approach (promotion and facilitation). The experience of community and voluntary organisations shows that there is a need at all levels - EU, national, regional and local - to increase volunteering and the awareness of the added value it brings to European society, to celebrate volunteers, involve more volunteers and improve the policy framework on volunteering. Therefore, the general objectives of EYV 2011 are: 1. Recognition and awareness raising on the value of volunteering 2.Celebration of volunteer efforts 3. Empowerment of people and volunteer organisations 4. Work towards the creation of an enabling environment for volunteering including a volunteering infrastructure Visit Volunteer Centre Ireland's Websit by clicking on the link below for more details © Volunteer Centre Ireland
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