Local groups responding to the rise in volunteers.

Clare Volunteer Centre recently delivered the VCI National Volunteer Management Training Programme to local community and voluntary groups in Clare. The programme is delivered in four half day modules and is delivered in a hands on participative style.  Representatives from Clare Haven Services, Irish Wheelchair Association, Clarecare, Caring for Carers, Raidió Corca Baiscinn, Age Action and Brothers of Charity completed the training this week. 

Sharon Meaney the Coordinator for the Clare Volunteer Centre, was delighted at the positive engagement by the community and voluntary sector in attending the recent course aimed at encouraging best practice in supporting and recognizing volunteers.  “We have become aware that community and voluntary organisations are working in a period of change, the recession has brought challenges, and we have seen a large increase in the number of not for profit organisations looking for volunteers to assist them.”  “We have also had an unprecedented rise in the number of people wishing to reengage in their communities by volunteering and nationally we have had an increase of more than 115% of people registering to volunteer. 

The profile of people seeking to volunteer has changed, with seven out of ten new registrations being under the age of 35 and six out of ten people who have registered with the Clare Volunteer Centre not having volunteered before. We also have seen an increase in volunteers coming forward who may have had to take early retirement or voluntary redundancy. With so many skilled and experienced people willing to give their time, it is vital that organisations who wish to engage with volunteers are committed to providing meaningful volunteering opportunities as well as support and recognition for their volunteers.  The groups who participated in this latest round of training, have shown they recognise the benefits that volunteers bring to their organisations but also their commitment to ensuring that their engagement with the volunteer is a positive one. ” 

For further information on volunteering or if you are a not for profit organisation who is interested in participating in the Volunteer Management Training Programme contact Sharon on 086 803 1106.