Volunteer Ireland

IBM volunteers to deliver cloud solution for Irish Cancer Society 'Care to Drive' programme

Eva Goussot — 2012-05-15T09:12:00Z

Coinciding with National Volunteering Week - May 14th-20th 2012, IBM and the Irish Cancer Society announce the pilot of a cloud based, volunteer developed solution for the Irish Cancer Society "Care to Drive” programme. IBM staff have volunteered hundreds of hours since last August, when this innovative project was awarded one of only 11 globally awarded IBM Centennial grants.

The pilot is ready to commence with Irish Cancer Society staff, followed by St. Vincent's Hospital in Dublin as the first hospital, with the plan of rolling it out at all specialised cancer treatment centres by the end of the year.

IBM's close relationship with the Irish Cancer Society and its “Care to Drive” programme began on a Dublin commuter train, in an after-work discussion between an Irish Cancer Society employee and an IBM employee about the complexity and cost of providing free transportation for cancer patients in the Dublin area and whether it was ‘technically' possible to provide a solution that would make the process of managing the "Care to Drive" programme less manually intensive.

Further discussion within IBM led to another employee seeing the potential of not only developing a cloud based solution for "Care to Drive" but also the possibility of winning one of 11 global IBM Centennial Grants which would be awarded to projects which demonstrated IBM's Smarter Planet capabilities of being Instrumented, Interconnected and Intelligent. IBM responded with a $75,000 award directly to the Irish Cancer Society.

A team of 14 highly qualified IBM volunteers stepped forward to work on this project. Their goal was to automate the current labour-intensive process of tracking and recording the free patient transportation to-and-from their cancer treatment in hospital. This needed to be a system that would integrate information from health care professionals on behalf of patients, Irish Cancer Society staff and drivers in a secure, anonymous environment. The team was determined to maintain the Society's reputation for care and compassion – and be prepared to adapt “Care to Drive” to serve all cancer treatment centres around Ireland.

Amongst some of the outcomes of this solution for the Irish Cancer Society will be an improved "Care to Drive" process which integrates patient details, hospital bookings and driver details; and automates the matching of patient and driver, it will also allow volunteer drivers to manage their own calendars and expenses online and most importantly enable the national roll out of this programme.

Thousands of volunteers to take part in National Volunteering Week

Eva Goussot — 2012-05-14T08:48:28Z

Thousands of volunteers were today getting ready to take part in hundreds of community events across the country this week, as National Volunteering Week gets underway.

Launching the week Volunteer Ireland CEO Yvonne McKenna encouraged people to join in the initiative and support their communities. “People can log on to www.volunteer.ie to find out how to get involved locally. It's not to late and you can still register a project, or fun idea to benefit your community.”

Volunteer Ireland also gave details of a survey it carried out in advance of National Volunteering Week, and called for greater emphasis on volunteering in national data collection.

In a 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.

An Taoiseach wishes National Volunteering Week Well

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny sent his best wishes and support to everyone involved in preparing for Ireland's first National Volunteering Week co-ordinated by Volunteer Ireland.

“National Volunteering Week 2012 is a celebration of the huge potential for positive action that we have in this country. I would encourage everyone to get involved and to have fun taking part in the hundreds of community events organised throughout the country.

“Through volunteering we have the potential to make a real difference, to strengthen our communities and to spread a greater sense of national togetherness, hope and optimism, particularly during these challenging times.”

Volunteer Ireland calls for better national data on volunteering

Launching the week Volunteer Ireland CEO Yvonne McKenna called for a greater emphasis on volunteering in national data collection to help measure and monitor its contribution to the economy.

“Last year 11,000 people registered with Volunteer Ireland's 22 Volunteer Centres across Ireland and carried out an incredible 425,000 hours of voluntary work during the year. Using the average industrial wage, this work equates to a value over €9.2m. However, that is the only data we have and is only the tip of the iceberg.”

“In 2006 and for the first time, the Census contained a question on volunteering and estimated that 1 in 6 of the adult population volunteers regularly. However, the Central Statistics Office didn't include a question on volunteering in the 2011 Census.

“Since 2006 Volunteer Ireland has seen a dramatic increase in the number of people registering to volunteer at its centres. In the first year following the recession we saw a 100% increase in registrations. This shift in Irish people's attitudes to volunteering is going widely undocumented and unnoticed.

“If we do not measure the level of volunteering occurring, we risk undervaluing the vast impact of volunteers to Irish society. Accurate and up to date statistics would provide an insight into the scope and distribution of volunteering, allowing our Government and organisations to design more responsive volunteering policies.”

National Volunteering Week is being co-ordinated nationally by Volunteer Ireland and delivered locally through the 22 local Volunteer Centres across the country. The flagship project for 2012 is a National Inland Waterways Clean up.

National Volunteering Week is supported by Irish Rail.

Dublin City North Volunteer Fair Monday 14th May

Eva Goussot — 2012-05-14T07:19:25Z

Dublin City North Volunteer Centre will host a Volunteer Fair to launch National Volunteering Week on Monday 14 May 2012 from 11:00 to 18:00 in front of The Spire at Earl Street North in Dublin City Centre.

The goal of the Volunteer Fair is to facilitate local charities and voluntary groups in Dublin City North area to connect with people who might have an interest in giving their time to a great cause but are unsure of what groups are out there or what the steps are to get involved.

If you are considering different volunteering options the Volunteer Fair will be a perfect occasion to find out more about volunteering without having to make a commitment and to get information on a wide range of volunteering opportunities.

Almost 20 not-for-profit, volunteer involving organisations have confirmed participation at the Volunteer Fair in one of the busiest streets in Dublin and we hope to see YOU there as well!

The Volunteer Fair is proudly supported by TESCO.

Irish Rail launch new community initiative "The Journey's On Us"

Eva Goussot — 2012-05-08T09:01:00Z

Iarnród Éireann recently launched a new community initiative to support organisations and groups in the voluntary, community, sporting and charity sector.

The initiative, entitled “The Journey's On Us”, will provide up to €200,000 worth of group travel to organisations in the sector who apply for the scheme in 2012.

Iarnród Éireann Chief Executive Dick Fearn said at the launch of the initiative “Voluntary organisations are the life blood of communities across the country. However, like everyone, their budgets have been cut. We know there are youth, sports, music, voluntary, charity and other groups in the community who would benefit greatly from being able to undertake initiatives which involve a travel cost, but have had to scale back. We in Iarnród Éireann, through The Journey's On Us, want to do what we can to help such groups achieve their goals, and say thank you to the organisations which play such a vital role in the daily lives of communities.”

Under the initiative, 100 groups of up to 50 people per group will receive a free return group travel journey from Iarnród Éireann, across any of the company's services. The travel facilities will be ideal in particular for organisations bringing a group to a special event, or as part of a specific support to the members of the group which requires travel.

Groups are invited to apply for the new scheme through a number of means, including:

- Entry forms are available at all Ianród Éireann stations

- Online entry form at www.irishrail.ie/journeys

- Emailed entry forms to journeys@irishrail.ie

- By post to Corporate Communications, Iarnród Éireann, Connolly Station, Dublin 1.

The closing date for receipt of entries is Friday 25^th May.

All applications will be considered by an adjudicating panel, involving representatives of Volunteer Ireland and The Wheel, as well as Iarnród Éireann. The 100 successful groups will be notified in June.

Further information and terms and conditions are available at www.irishrail.ie/journeys .

Iarnród Éireann Chief Executive Dick Fearn said of the initiative “the role of the railway is to connect communities. Through this exciting new initiative, we will help those who do most to bring communities together, and we anticipate to a strong response from groups in this sector from around the country. We want to hear of the excellent work being done, and how this new initiative can help that work.”

Public rallied for first National Volunteering Week

Eva Goussot — 2012-05-01T15:34:27Z

98% in survey say volunteering makes them happier

People across the country were today rallied to get involved in Ireland's first National Volunteering Week which takes place from May 14 – 20.

Last year more than 10,000 volunteers participated in hundreds of charity and community projects across the country on the National Day of Volunteering.

Following five successful National Day of Volunteering campaigns, this year the campaign is being expanded to seven days, making it easier for volunteers, organisations and companies to get involved.

Research carried out by Volunteer Ireland in advance of National Volunteering Week (NVW) has found that being involved in volunteering makes people happier. The research was carried out on more than 500 active volunteers across the country with 98% responding that ‘volunteering makes them a happier person'.

The research also found that the most common reasons for people to volunteer were to:

- Help people (65%)

- Contribute to the community (60%)

- Add experience to CV (37%)

- Keep active (33%)

- Occupy spare time (30%)

- Develop contacts (24%) and

- Find work through volunteering (24%).

Volunteer Ireland CEO Dr. Yvonne McKenna said that the survey was reflective of a growing participation in volunteering in Ireland and she highlighted evidence in the survey of differing reasons for volunteering among older and younger people.

“58% of people said they believed there is a difference between why younger people (aged 14-50) and older people (50+) volunteer. Also among those whose employment had been negatively effected by the recession 68% said it made them more likely to volunteer.

“The responses do show a pattern that older people were most likely to volunteer in order to stay active and socially engaged, while there was a greater emphasis among younger people on volunteering as a way of improving employment prospects in the current recessionary climate.”

Dr. McKenna encouraged as many people as possible to get involved in National Volunteering Week: “If it's only for a minute, an hour, or a day – volunteering is a wonderful way to connect with your community, meet new people and make a real difference.”

To get involved in NVW 2012 go to www.volunteer.ie where you can:

1. Look up projects in your area and register to get involved.

2. Develop your own project and register it.

3. Participate in the flagship project – A National Inland Waterways Clean Up.

4. Check out the list of 30 ‘Random Acts of Volunteering' examples to get some inspiration.

National Volunteering Week is being supported by Irish Rail.

Boardmatch Chair & CEO Training 2012

Eva Goussot — 2012-04-26T12:02:00Z

Due to the success of the first Boardmatch Ireland 'Understanding the role of the chair and CEO' training days in 2011, Boardmatch Ireland is pleased to announce its Chair and CEO training 2012 will be held on May 28th 2012 in the Arthur Cox offices.

The trainings filled up quite quickly last year so please get in touch early to avoid disappointment.

See the flyer below for more information on the event including an agenda for the day and also information on the key speakers.

To secure your place for the event contact Boardmatch Ireland at 01-671 5005 or by emailing Eva Gurn: eva@boardmatchireland.ie

Download flyer.

Voluntary Arts Week

Eva Goussot — 2012-04-25T13:15:16Z

Taking place from 12 – 20 May and coinciding with National Volunteering Week 2012, Voluntary Arts Week highlights the wonderful amateur arts and craft activity taking place throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Thousands of drama groups, orchestras, choirs, knitting circles, dance troupes, painting groups and more meet up each week to enjoy themselves and bring their local communities together. Voluntary Arts Week is all about showing the rest of the nation what you do – and letting them know that they could join in, too! Here are some ways you could get involved:

put on a special show
hold a celebratory exhibition
invite people to an open rehearsal
run a taster session
take your art or craftform out into the public domain (such as a shopping centre)
or simply badge an event you've already planned with ‘Voluntary Arts Week'

Or, if it's too late for you to plan any of the above, you could easily get involved in the Voluntary Arts Week ‘What's in Your Window‘ campaign.

From 12 – 20 May, we're asking people to display something in their window to celebrate the arts or craft form they love. It could be a painting, piece of knitting, instrument, photo of you singing – anything which shows off your cultural activity.

If you're part of a group, why not see if your local library, community centre, church hall, shops or offices will let you use their windows to show your work?

Imagine how amazing it would look, if for one week a year windows across the UK and Republic of Ireland were filled with vibrant and colourful arts and crafts!

Visit www.voluntaryartsweek.org.uk to download a ‘What's in your Window?' poster to feature alongside your display, or to tell us all about the event you're running.

Call for entries for Multicultural Young-People's Awards 2012

Eva Goussot — 2012-04-20T12:02:29Z

Entries for this year's Multicultural Young People's Awards (MYPA) are now open. This the fourth year of the Awards, which aim to recognise the hard work of young people whose are making strides in integration and cultural awareness initiatives which benefit both newer and more established communities in Irish society.

Target Group: are young people from 3rd year to 5th year in Secondary school, young people in youth clubs, Direct Provision.

Categories for Group or Individual Project: Art & Wood Work, Sports, Science, Health Awareness & The Environment. Music/Social Studies, Community & Volunteerism, Cultural Awareness and Special Judge's Award.

Participants: Young people in Secondary Schools, Youth Clubs, Direct provision, etc

Who Can Nominate: Teachers, An Garda Siochana, Youth workers, Health Service Executives, Community worker, Dept of Education, Self Nomination, Individual who knows a young person making an impact etc

Supported By: Chartered accountant Ireland, Catholic Youth Care, Africa Centre, An Garda Siochana, NYCI, Co. Dublin VEC, Dept of Education, Dublin City Council, SDCC

Download Entry Form

Survey Participants Required

Eva Goussot — 2012-04-18T10:18:20Z

In the lead up to National Volunteering Week 2012, we are carrying out a national survey of volunteers. The research findings will be published shortly, coinciding with the launch of NVW 2012.

This short survey takes just 5 minutes to complete. We would greatly appreciate if you could participate in the survey and share the link with any volunteers you know.

Please click on the following link to take part in the survey.

www.surveymonkey.com/s/DBLHMN2

Dublin Tall Ships Festival - Community Information Days

Eva Goussot — 2012-04-12T09:56:58Z

If you live, play, work or own a business in or around the Dublin Docklands area, drop into the Tall Ships Races 2012 Information Days.

The two open days, taking place on either side of the Liffey, are an opportunity to find out about the most spectacular event happening in Dublin this summer!
The Dublin Tall Ships Team will be there to talk to you about the festival map, programme, traffic management – and how to get on board as a volunteer.

Northside: Tuesday 17th April
CHQ Building, IFSC, Docklands, Dublin 1
1.00pm – 7.00pm

Southside: Thursday 19th April
St. Andrews Resource Centre, Pearse Street, Dublin 2
12.00pm – 6.00pm

For further information contact
community.liaison@dublintallships.ie
Open Day poster
www.dublintallships.ie