Age Action with the help of Marian Harkin MEP invited volunteers who had participated in the Getting Started Programme to a Volunteer Recognition Event held in the De Valera Library, Ennis on Friday 19^th February.  The aim of the event was to say ‘thank you’ to the many volunteers who had ensured that the programme was such a huge success in 2009 and hopefully inspire others to join as volunteer tutors to ensure the continuation of the programme in 2010.

Getting Started is a programme for older people to help them gain confidence   and basic skills in computers, Internet and email.  Training is provided by volunteer tutors in small classes, with an emphasis on encouragement and support for older learners.

Loretta O Brien, Regional Co-ordinator for Age Action, gave a brief background to the programme, “Already,  Getting Started has trained over 400 people, our goal for 2010 is to provide basic training to 3000 older people nationwide – with the help of over 500 volunteer tutors and partner organisations in towns, villages and parishes.  Courses usually run for 1 hour per week, over 6 weeks.  We have managed to facilitate courses in Sixmilebridge, Scarriff, Kilrush, Ennistymon, Shannon and Ennis in 2009 and through the support of the Clare Libraries, Family Resource Centres and Clare Volunteer Centre, we hope to extend the programme through 2010”.

Clare Volunteer Centre has worked with Age Action to refer volunteers onto the Getting Started Programme. Sharon Meaney, Development Co-ordinator of the Clare Volunteer Centre speaking of the event added, “We are delighted to be part of such a worthwhile programme and have used the opportunity of the Volunteer Recognition Event to again highlight the important role that volunteers have in our communities”.  “Children from around the county were invited through their local libraries to draw a picture of what they thought a volunteer looked like, the standard of entries was excellent and the artwork truly depicted that a volunteer can look like all of us”.

Speaking at the event, Clare County Librarian Helen Walsh said ‘The library is delighted to be involved with Age Action and Clare Volunteer Centre. Several training courses are operating in various libraries around the county and the benefits are very worthwhile for all concerned.’ She expressed the hope that the links with Clare library service will continue in the future.