👋 Welcome to the lastest National Volunteering Week news! 🦺

In honour of National Volunteering Week, this week you'll be receiving exclusive editions of our newsletter, packed with uplifting stories of inspiring volunteers.

 
 
From Zimbabwe to Bray: Vumani's volunteering story

Our new video shares the inspiring journey of a Tidy Towns volunteer

Meet Vumani, a true inspiration! After moving to Bray last year, he found his place in the community through volunteering. 🐌


“I joined Bray Tidy Towns as a volunteer because I'm new in the place. I need to make friends,” says Vumani, who moved to Bray, Co. Wicklow last year from Zimbabwe. “Luckily, people welcomed me and my family. Everything is going well. I'm feeling at home now.”

WATCH THE VIDEO

 
 
 
Shamim's volunteering story

‘Volunteering strengthens my ties to the community and provides me with a sense of purpose and belonging’

Meet Shamim, a passionate volunteer who found a sense of purpose and belonging through volunteering. After arriving in Ireland last year, Shamim turned to volunteering as a way to give back to her community and make new friends.


“When I arrived in Ireland, I didn’t know anyone and didn’t know how I would survive in the Irish community. So I decided to pursue my passion for volunteering. While volunteering, I gave back to the community, which made me happy. But it also changed my life – meeting new people, making new friends, getting important connections. All my anxiety and loneliness disappeared.


“I do community volunteering with Dublin City Community Volunteers. I volunteer in community gardening, beach cleaning, event stewarding, cultural exchange and preparing arts and crafts for particular days like St. Patrick’s Day.


“People have made me feel welcome from the day that I arrived in Ireland. People in Ireland are very friendly and easygoing, as well as very polite to everyone.


“Volunteering strengthens my ties to the community and provides me with a sense of purpose and belonging. I enjoy giving back to the community and making a difference in the world, however small it is.”

READ MORE ABOUT VOLUNTEERING WEEK

 
 
 
How do I start volunteering?

Find your perfect volunteer role

💜 If you aren't volunteering at the moment, it's really easy to get started!


💙 Browse & apply for volunteering opportunities at I-VOL.ie


💗 Or visit our website to find your local Volunteer Centre, and they’ll help you find a suitable volunteering role.

VISIT I-VOL

 
 
 
Pay it forward ➡️

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Then please forward this email to them! 📨

 
 
And lastly,

Does your organisation engage volunteers, or do you work as a Volunteer Manager? Then don't miss our upcoming training sessions!

Involving volunteers from new communities

 
Thu 18 May


FREE
Learn to develop a vibrant volunteer programme that champions diversity & inclusion.

Exploring the volunteering landscape across Europe

 
Fri 19 May


Join us for a virtual coffee break with Lejla Šehić Relić of the Centre for European Volunteering.

Developing a positive volunteer culture

 
Thu 29 June

Learn how your organisation's culture might impact someone's volunteering experience, and take steps to change it.

VIEW OUR FULL TRAINING CALENDAR

 
 
www.volunteer.ie
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