Galway Volunteer Centre has announced this week that it is urgently seeking new office space in Galway City Centre to allow it to continue its work for the public and the community.
The Volunteer Centre has stated that its current lease expires in December 2025 and will not be renewed, and it fears that it will have no premises to operate from following this.
Donncha Foley, Development Manager with Galway Volunteer Centre, said; "We have been in Wiliam Street West since 2013, but it is now time for us to find a new home so we can grow our service to the benefit of all in Galway."
The Volunteer Centre has been looking for larger premises in recent months but has had no success. It is seeking a larger premises to enable it to provide more space for staff and also to host public events and workshops for community groups.
"Our current space is too small even for staff at this stage, and our only meeting room has a capacity for eight people. This creates a huge limitation on what we can do, both from an expense viewpoint, but also in being able to organise events quickly and being more effective in our use of time," said Donncha.
While the volunteer centre is focused on its own immediate needs for a new location, it is very open to partnering with other like-minded groups to develop a shared space in the city centre.
Donncha continued; "We think there is a lot to be gained from working with others to collaborate to develop a community hub in Galway City Centre, and we are interested in speaking to other services that may find themselves in a similar position to us."
Since 2006, Galway Volunteer Centre has been supporting members of the public to find suitable volunteer roles in Galway City and County by selecting roles on our daily updated list of volunteer opportunities that it advertises on behalf of non-profits and community organisations in Galway.
Over 1000 new members of the public register with the volunteer centre each year, and the centre works with an average of 200 charities, community groups and clubs annually, providing assistance in finding volunteers, access to Garda Vetting and other critical supports.
The Galway Volunteer Centre team meets with people to help them choose volunteer roles that match their interests and availability.
"We are always amazed by the number of people who come to us with a desire to do something to help others, and we provide a confidential service that gets people doing something that they like and benefits others at the same time," said Donncha.
For more information on the Galway Volunteer Centre and to view currently available roles, please visit www.volunteergalway.ie, phone 091 581727 or visit 27 William Street West, Galway.
