It’s been a long few years and National Volunteering Week was the perfect time to celebrate the achievements of volunteers throughout the pandemic and beyond.
This year the event was held between May 16 and 22 with the theme of “Celebrate Volunteers”. The Mayo Volunteer Centre (www.volunteermayo.ie ) organised several events during the week based around different themes: the environment, health and wellbeing, community and sports, arts and culture.
The Mayo Volunteer Centre stated: "The main event covering the theme of 'Community' on May 18 was a runaway success. The event was called 'Celebrating Community Connections' and it was an open evening for local agencies, community groups and not-for-profit organisations to come together and share information about their services and how they can support and benefit from volunteers in the community.
"The event at the Ballina Sports Centre was a joint venture between Mayo Volunteer Centre and Mayo North East SICAP (www.mayonortheast.com ). The evening was filled with entertainment and music, from Ballina Community Radio, Bofield Ceili Band and a wonderful group of Ukrainian children playing guitar, piano and singing.
"Cllr Annie May Reape (Cathaoirleach Ballina Municipal District ) gave an opening address to the audience and welcomed everybody to the evening. As well as community groups connecting and networking together, it was a real showcase of what Ballina has to offer to the community with stands taken by groups such as Ballina Arts Centre, Ballina Kayaking Club, Ballina 2023, Ballina Clean Ups, Mayo North Tourism, Craoibhin, Balina Karen Community Garden and the Mayo Library Service. With over 20 stands at the event, the evening was full of information, chatter and fun.
"There was also some corporate volunteering during the week with Hollister in Ballina who provided a large group of their staff giving up their lunch hour to volunteer to litter pick and clear a small stretch of the canal alongside their offices."
Lesley Moore, Manager of the Mayo Volunteer Centre said: "This evening was a wonderful opportunity to connect with community organisations, welcome new communities to Mayo and celebrate the volunteers who provide so much support for not-for-profit organisations."
Mayo Volunteer Centre is a one-stop-shop for volunteering in Mayo, connecting not-for-profit organisations with volunteers in the community. Mayo North East SICAP is a social inclusion programme which assists both individuals and groups through a two-pronged approach; supporting communities and supporting individuals.
