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The National Week of Volunteering 2012
Following five succesful years of Volunteer Ireland’s National Day of Volunteering, 2012 will see Ireland’s first annual National Volunteering Week take place between May 14th – May 20th. National Volunteering Week is the one week of the year when we encourage everyone in Ireland to give volunteering a try, so that everyone can learn that – even if it’s only for a minute, an hour, or a day – volunteering can make a big difference and be a lot of fun! More information on this year’s campaign will be announced shortly. To keep up to date with any updates on this year’s campaign, why not ‘like’ us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter?
The National Day of Volunteering 2007 - 2011
Ireland’s first national day of volunteering took place in September 2007. Since 2007 over 25,000 people have volunteered for NDV projects across Ireland. The National Day of Volunteering was established to encourage the public to give volunteering a go. Hundreds of commuinty groups and charities have engaged with NDV, using the day to attract volunteers and tackle once off volunteering projects.
In its first year, NDV achieved:
- 838 individuals participate 297 were youth volunteers (aged under 18)
- 68 projects took place in 60 organisations across 14 counties
- 2,583 hours of volunteering hours were generated
in 2008:
- 2500+ volunteers
- 130+ projects
- Projects took place across 22 counties
In 2009
- 4,000+ volunteers
- 170 projects
- Projects took place across 24 counties
In 2010
- 8,000+ volunteers
- 66% increase in online registrations
- Projects took place across 22 counties
- Hundreds of older people took part in 16 public ’flashmob’ events
In 2011
- 10,000+ volunteers
- Projects took place across 22 counties
- Thousands of volunteers took part in a charity ’knit-a-thon’
- For more information on NDV 2011 visit our archive page
Ireland Involved Awards
Each year, The Ireland Involved Awards aim to highlight and celebrate the wonderful work of volunteers across the country. Thirty-three shortlisted nominees were honoured by President Michael D. Higgins at the gala ceremony which took place on December 5th 2011, the International Day of the Volunteer.
Guests were welcomed to Dublin Castle by red carpet and performances from ladies’ choir Beating Time, before meeting President Higgins. The Awards were hosted by RTE’s Claire Byrne and presented by Rose of Tralee 2011 Tara Talbot, followed by music from North Dublin Community Gospel Choir in the Portrait Gallery. For the photos of the event, see the gallery.
CEO Yvonne McKenna said, “The Ireland Involved Awards are an opportunity for us to truly recognise and say thanks to those people who have had a remarkable impact on the lives of others." Last year almost 300 individuals were put forward by their family, friends and colleagues, who wanted to acknowledge the time they give to help make a difference.
Panadol was delighted to be the lead sponsor of the Ireland Involved Awards 2011 and thrilled to assist in rewarding outstanding individuals for their selfless contributions, which benefit so many. For more details about the Awards, visit the website.
Each year, The Ireland Involved Awards aim to highlight and celebrate the wonderful work of volunteers across the country. Thirty-three shortlisted nominees were honoured by President Michael D. Higgins at the gala ceremony which took place on December 5th 2011, the International Day of the Volunteer.
Guests were welcomed to Dublin Castle by red carpet and performances from ladies’ choir Beating Time, before meeting President Higgins. The Awards were hosted by RTE’s Claire Byrne and presented by Rose of Tralee 2011 Tara Talbot, followed by music from North Dublin Community Gospel Choir in the Portrait Gallery. For the photos of the event, see the gallery. CEO Yvonne McKenna said, “The Ireland Involved Awards are an opportunity for us to truly recognise and say thanks to those people who have had a remarkable impact on the lives of others." Last year almost 300 individuals were put forward by their family, friends and colleagues, who wanted to acknowledge the time they give to help make a difference.
Panadol was delighted to be the lead sponsor of the Ireland Involved Awards 2011 and thrilled to assist in rewarding outstanding individuals for their selfless contributions, which benefit so many. For more details about the Awards, visit the website.
The European Year of Volunteering 2011 (EYV 2011)
2011 was designated The European Year of Volunteering by the European Union, with Volunteer Ireland appointed as the National Coordinating Body. EYV 2011 was put forward as both a celebration and a challenge. It is a celebration of the millions of people who volunteer in Europe and a challenge to the three-quarters of the European population who do not volunteer, to start.
Many events, exhibitions, demonstrations and activities took place throughout Ireland during the year and were recorded on the national website, www.eyv2011.ie. Some of the year’s key activities organised by Volunteer Ireland included:
EYV2011 Opening Ceremony, February
President Mary McAleese, Patron of European Year of Volunteering 2011 launched the Year at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham on February 12th. Over 300 individual volunteers and non profit organisations from all over Ireland came together to celebrate the commitment of up to 1 million active volunteers in Ireland at the event sponsored by Intel Ireland. Read more here
EYV Roadshow, August
Over 70 organisations took part in the five-day event, which included a volunteering recruitment fair, film screenings, workshops and performances. Read about the week’s activities.
National Volunteer Management Conference, November
The theme of the conference was "Enabling and Enhancing Volunteering Through Best Practice in Volunteer Management". The one day conference attracted 120 delegates from around the country for a day of professional development, networking, and informative, thought-provoking workshops.
2011 was designated The European Year of Volunteering by the European Union, with Volunteer Ireland appointed as the National Coordinating Body. EYV 2011 was put forward as both a celebration and a challenge. It is a celebration of the millions of people who volunteer in Europe and a challenge to the three-quarters of the European population who do not volunteer, to start.
Many events, exhibitions, demonstrations and activities took place throughout Ireland during the year and were recorded on the national website, www.eyv2011.ie. Some of the year’s key activities organised by Volunteer Ireland included:
EYV2011 Opening Ceremony, February
President Mary McAleese, Patron of European Year of Volunteering 2011 launched the Year at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham on February 12th. Over 300 individual volunteers and non profit organisations from all over Ireland came together to celebrate the commitment of up to 1 million active volunteers in Ireland at the event sponsored by Intel Ireland. Read more here
EYV Roadshow, August
Over 70 organisations took part in the five-day event, which included a volunteering recruitment fair, film screenings, workshops and performances. Read about the week’s activities.
National Volunteer Management Conference, November
The theme of the conference was "Enabling and Enhancing Volunteering Through Best Practice in Volunteer Management". The one day conference attracted 120 delegates from around the country for a day of professional development, networking, and informative, thought-provoking workshops.
Non Irish National Volunteer Campaign
Research undertaken by Volunteer Ireland shows that there has been a considerable increase in the number of non-Irish nationals registering to volunteer through volunteer centres in 2008. In response, the national volunteer body initiated a wholly online national recruitment campaign in an effort to maintain the momentum and to maximise the potential of volunteers within this demographic.
To increase awareness of VI and the services of local volunteer centres across Ireland, VI selected three representatives from non-Irish national communities who are currently volunteering in Ireland. They identified the feel-good story these volunteers had to share of their experiences volunteering and published them on the VI website, Facebook & bebo pages.
The reaction to the story was very positive, both from local and national media and also from the target demographic. VI hopes to substantially contribute to integrating cultures in Irish communities.
You can view case studies and press releases from this campaign at www.volunteer.ie or visit our facebook page.
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