Packed programme for National Volunteering Week in Offaly

NATIONAL Volunteering Week is a week long celebration of volunteering from Monday, May 15 until Sunday, May 21.

Along with the network of Volunteer Centres across the country, Volunteer Ireland uses National Volunteering Week to amplify the incredible stories of volunteering in our communities. It’s a week full of events, and Offaly Volunteer Centre ensures a jam-packed suite to ensure Offaly is well-represented.

Monday also happened to be International Day of Families. The Offaly Volunteer Centre team visited the fabulous family-based organisations here in Offaly: Tullamore and Clara's Community Family Resource Centres, Laois Offaly Families For Autism and Parents First, to showcase their work and highlight their aims.

Tuesday was the Make ‘n’ Do day! The crafty mavens of Sonyashnyk Craft Group showcasedtheir work and shared their knowledge at a craft workshop in Mucklagh Community Centre.

On Tuesday afternoon, OVC headlined a project that they have been hatching for months. “Since we opened, we have observed that some registered voluntary organisations have no logo. So, we will be announcing details of our free service whereby we will create this essential visual narrative for these groups, helping them to get noticed, connect visually with the community, and to make an impact”, says Deirdre Fox, OVC Manager.

Wednesday happens to be International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, commemorating the 1990 decision of the World Health Organisation to remove homosexuality from the list of mental disorders.

OVC’s Hugs ‘n’ Mugs event will ensure they are #ConnectingCommunities in their most favourite way- over mugs of steaming beverages and plates of sweet treats! Join them at Sonyashnyk Offaly on Bury Quay between 11am and 1pm.

Thursday sees their focus turn to the wonderful corporate partners who are stakeholders in the community. Deirdre says “Not only are they employers, but some participate in volunteering to make our Faithful County even better. From 11am to 2:30pm, we will be joined in the Board Room (how fitting!) at Offaly Historical Society by past and potential partners. We will present to them on the value of Corporate Volunteering (a.k.a. Employee Community Engagement) and hear a testimonial from Fiona Perdisatt (H.R. Manager at Cardinal Health), whose team got involved last year.

“In the spirit of community collaboration, later that evening, we will join our community partners, Offaly PPN, in the Town Hall Tullamore for their Community & Voluntary Pillar meeting”, says Deirdre. But not before we acknowledge International Museum Day and a visit to the Birr Science Centre and a chat about their Education Programmes by volunteers.

Friday sees team member, Sue and volunteer Adele heading through north to Edenderry! You can chat all things volunteering with them in Edenderry Shopping Centre. They’ll be there from 10am to 4pm

“On Saturday 20, we round off the week with an event that surely will have its place on Offaly’s social calendar, going forward! Our Coffee on the Quays was such a success during last year’s NVW, we are doing it again. Coffee and goodies will be provided by The Coffee Hut and the Child of Prague will be out the night before”, says Deirdre. All are welcome and the event starts at 11am.

OVC Manager, Deirdre Fox says: “For 51 weeks of the year, we liaise between organisations and volunteers- introducing them, facilitating partnership, and managing all the practicalities. However, for National Volunteer Week, we get the chance to say thank you, you’re all fabulous and our Faithful County salutes you!”

“Our voluntary and community sector is fuelled by people who simply want to give back. They want to make our county and indeed, our country, a better place to live. They give of their own free time, whether out of civic duty, or to contribute to a sense of place-making. Whatever the motivation, we relish National Volunteering Week because we get to express our gratitude.”

The team at Offaly Volunteer Centre are always ready for chats. Whether you fancy volunteering, or your organisation needs advice, there are lots of ways to get in touch: you can visit their website: www.volunteeroffaly.ie. They have very active Instagram and Facebook profiles and love the interaction there. Alternatively, call in to their offices at Offaly History Society on Bury Quay.