Levels of Volunteering Hold steady Despite Uptick in Economy

Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Volunteer Centre is delighted to announce that there is now a volunteering service in every country in Ireland.  Following the launch of Wexford Volunteering Information Service earlier this month, there are now 21 Volunteer Centres and 8 Volunteering Information Services covering the Republic of Ireland. 

This is a particularly important development given that `17% of people said they had been put off volunteering as they didn’t know what volunteering opportunities are out there, according to the latest Irish Charity Engagement Monitor (ICEM) by nfpSynergy.  Volunteer Centres and Volunteering Information Services are a vital support to those looking to volunteer but aren’t sure how to go about it or what they’d like to do. 

Of those who don’t volunteer, 25% said they would be attracted by volunteering opportunities that don’t require a specific time commitment and a further 21% said the availability of microvolunteering opportuntiies (volunteering that only takes a few minutues) would make them consider volunteering in the future.  The network of Volunteer Centres and Volunteering Information Services help address this need by vworking with volunteer involving organisations and advising them on developing roles that meet the changing needs of potential volunteers. 

According to Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Volunteer Centre Manager, the timing for achieving national coverage couldn’t have been better.  “As a network, we are delighted to have reached full coverage across Ireland.  While volunteering levels have remained stable over the last number of years, the motivations and expectations of volunteers have changed significantly.  More people are looking for flexible, short term volunteering opportunities.  Together with Volunteer Ireland and our fellow Volunteer Centres and Volunteering Information Services, we support both volunteers and organisations to address these changes and engage in mutually benefiicial relationships.  Having a volunteering service in every country means that this support is accessible to all, in their own area.”

Overall, 22% of the population or just over 1 million people have volunteered in the last 3 months according to the latest ICEM results.  This is similar to November 2013 when 23% volunteered, showing that despite the rise in employment numbers and general uptick in the economy over the last five  years, volunteering levels have remained relatively stable.