Mayo Volunteer Centre has announced that more than 430 volunteers signed up with the Volunteer Centre in 2012, an increase of 13 per cent on 2011 levels and a record high for the organisation.
Volunteers registered with Mayo Volunteer Centre contributed an incredible 28,000 hours to their community in 2012. Applying the average industrial wage, this voluntary effort has an equivalent value of more than €617,000.
Most volunteers registering with the centre were unsure as to what area they wanted to volunteer in, however popular areas of interests for volunteers in 2012 were health and disability and youth and children.
Of those who signed up to volunteer in 2012, 68 per cent were female. Sixty four per cent of newly registered volunteers had never volunteered before.
Volunteers who sign up with Mayo Volunteer Centre are predominately young, some 26 per cent of volunteers were aged between 16 to 25, while 49 per cent of volunteers were aged under 35.
Mayo Volunteer Centre is a member of Volunteer Ireland, the national volunteer development agency and a representative body for 22 volunteer centres. Shauna Jackson, manager of Mayo Volunteer Centre, commented: “We are thrilled to see a continued rise in the number of people volunteering in Mayo. While 2012 was a challenging year for so many of us, it is heartening to see Mayo residents remain as committed as ever to the local community, contributing an incredible 28,000 hours of voluntary effort last year.
“At Mayo Volunteer Centre, January is often a busy time, we see a peak in interest among those keen to volunteer for the New Year. Volunteering is a wonderful New Year’s resolution and now is an ideal time to give volunteering a go. Volunteering can be a great way of trying out something new, getting active and meeting new people. With over 200 volunteering opportunities currently available in Mayo, there is a volunteering role to suit all interests and availability. Visit www.volunteermayo.ie to find a volunteering opportunity near you.”
