News Release

Issued by Clare Volunteer Centre

Friday September 9, 2011

People of Clare encouraged to take part in National Volunteering Day

Two thirds of those affected by downturn are more likely to volunteer

People across Clare were today rallied to get involved in the National Day of Volunteering which takes place on Friday, September 30^th.

Last year more than 8,000 volunteers participated in hundreds of charity and community projects across Munster and the country – and an even bigger number is anticipated this year.

Research carried out by Volunteer Ireland in advance of the National Day of Volunteering has found that being affected by the economic downturn makes people more likely to volunteer.

Among respondents in the Munster region who were either not working or working less as a result of the recession, two thirds (67%) said that the change in their employment had made them more likely to volunteer.

The research also found that what people most wanted from the organisation they volunteered for was to ‘be accepted as a vaulable team member’ (50%), followed by receiving ‘feedback about their contribution’ (25%). Only 1.5% of respondents said they wanted public recognition for the volunteering work they did.

Almost half of Munster respondents had third level qualifications (49%) and of those the most common field of study for volunteers was Arts and Social Sciences at 35%, followed by 15% from Business, 8% from Marketing & PR, 5% from IT and 11% from science. Interestingly, the majority of those surveyed responded that they were not volunteering in an area related to their studies (62%).

Volunteer Ireland CEO Dr. Yvonne McKenna said that the survey was reflective of a growing particpiation in volunteering in Ireland and she highlighted the National Day of Volunteering as an opportunity for more people to try something different, have good fun and bring benefit to the community.

Join a world record attempt

The flagship event of this year’s NDV is a national ‘Knit-a-thon’ which will see hundreds of knitters across the country attempt to break the world record for the most number of people knitting simultaneously. In Clare, the Clare Volunteer Centre is promoting an Urban Knit project, where Community and Voluntary Groups will be showcasing the vibrancy and colour of their organisations by decorating the sculptures of the ‘Ennis Sculpture Trail’ on the 30 September with various knitted items.  Volunteers are being recruited to knit on behalf of the organisation and to register to take part, contact Sharon or Dolores on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 065 68 66 800.  The full list of events taking place on the National Day of Volunteering can be seen on www.volunteerclare.ie

This year’s event marks the 5^th annual National Day of Volunteering and is being supported by Pfizer, Irish Rail and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government.

2011 is the European Year of Volunteering which included the recent volunteering road-show in the RDS. These events have also helped incease the awareness and particpitation in volunteering.

Further Information

Sharon Meaney – Development Coordinator

Clare Volunteer Centre

Westgate Business Park

Kilrush Road

Ennis

www.volunteerclare.ie

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Mobile: 086 803 11 06

Notes to Editor:

About Clare Volunteer Centre

The Clare Volunteer Centre is a one-stop shop for voluntary activity, providing volunteering opportunities for the public, sourcing much needed volunteers for organisations and providing support for organisations in managing and supporting volunteers.  The Clare Volunteer Centre works to recognise and acknowledge the valuable contribution that volunteers bring to our communities.  Clare Volunteer Centre is a member of Volunteer Ireland since September 2008.

About Volunteer Ireland:

Volunteer Ireland is the national volunteer development agency and a representative body for all local Volunteer Centres in Ireland. Volunteer Ireland’s vision is for an Irish society in which everyone who wants to, has access to meaningful volunteering opportunities and where the contribution of volunteering is valued and recognised as an intrinsic component of active citizenship.Volunteer Ireland work to inspire, promote, support and celebrate voluntary activity in Ireland and abroad and is the national co-ordinating body for European Year of Volunteering.

About European Year of Volunteering

The EU has designated 2011 as the “European Year of Volunteering” in order to draw public attention to volunteering. Volunteer Ireland is the national co-ordinating body for EYV2011 in Ireland. The Department for Social Development in Northern Ireland is also represented on the steering group at an all Ireland level. The importance of volunteering has long been acknowledged by the EU and now the EYV 2011 aims to inform the general public about the benefits of volunteering. The year will foster an understanding for the importance of volunteering in creating a more democratic, caring and responsible society.