Galway Volunteer Centre is seeking volunteers in the county. The appeal marks Social Inclusion and Active Citizenship Week.
The organisation, a one-stop shop for voluntary activity, which already has more than 1,000 people interested in volunteering in the county on its books, is also calling on non-profit organisations needing volunteers to contact it.
A public information meeting will be held at Gort Family Resource Centre at noon on Tuesday.
“Everyone is welcome to attend, you don’t have to make any commitment on the day,” says Donncha Foley, the centre’s development manager.
“It is an opportunity to find out what kind of volunteer roles are out there and also see how our free service works.
“Volunteers are always crucial in the work of combating social inequality, such as befriending people with disabilities or helping with homework classes for children. Much of the work around social inclusion depends of volunteers who lead by example when it comes to being active citizens in making their community a better place to live for all.”
GVC estimates that people finding voluntary work through the centre since 2006 have contributed at least 90,000 hours volunteering in their local community, which is the equivalent of 55 full-time workers.
Statistics also indicate that most of the people registering with the service have never volunteered before.
“The 4,500 people who are registered with us in the city and county represent a huge bank of skills and energy that can be given to the community in these difficult times” he states.
People interested in volunteering can call to the centre at 17/18 Mill Street in the city or register online at www.volunteergalway.ie
The centre usually has around 100 vacancies available and tries to meet with as many people as possible to identify suitable opportunities for them.
For further information log onto www.volunteergalway.ie or telephone (091 ) 539930 or call to the office.
For more information on other events happening during Social Inclusion and Active Citizenship Week which runs until Friday visit www.galway.ie or contact the social inclusion unit at Galway County Council at (091 ) 476510.
