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Leinster encouraged to take part in National Volunteering Day

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News Release
Issued by Volunteer Ireland
Thursday September 8, 2011
 
Leinster encouraged to take part in National Volunteering Day
 
70% of those affected by downturn are more likely to volunteer
 
People across Leinster were today rallied to get involved in the National Day of Volunteering which takes place on Friday, September 30th.
 
Last year more than 8,000 volunteers participated in hundreds of charity and community projects across Leinster and the country – and an even bigger number is anticipated this year. 
 
Research carried out by Volunteer Ireland in advance of the National Day of Volunteering has found that being affected by the economic downturn makes people more likely to volunteer.
 
Among respondents in the Leinster region who were either not working or working less as a result of the recession, 70% said that the change in their employment had made them more likely to volunteer.
 
The research also found that what people most wanted from the organisation they volunteered for was to ‘be accepted as a vaulable team member’ (47%), followed by receiving ‘an informal personal thank you’ (20%). Only 1% of respondents said they wanted public recognition for the volunteering work they did.
 
Just under half of all Leinster respondents had third level qualifications (44%) and of those the most common field of study for volunteers was Arts and Social Sciences at 37%, followed by 20% from Business, 9% from Marketing & PR, 9% from IT and 6% from science. Interestingly, the majority of those surveyed responded that they were not volunteering in an area related to their studies (63%).
 
Volunteer Ireland CEO Dr. Yvonne McKenna said that the survey was reflective of a growing particpiation in volunteering in Ireland and she highlighted the National Day of Volunteering as an opportunity for more people to try something different, have good fun and bring benefit to the community.
 
Join a world record attempt
 
The flagship event of this year’s NDV is a national ‘Knit-a-thon’ which will see hundreds of knitters across the country attempt to break the world record for the most number of people knitting simultaneously. 
 
Dr. McKenna said: “the theme of this year’s campaign is to ‘stick to your knitting’ – that we harness our most natural resourse, the instinct to give time to others. To register to take part in the knitathon, to find an event in your area, or to register your own event, log on to www.volunteer.ie
 
This year’s event marks the 5th annual National Day of Volunteering and is being supported by Pfizer, Irish Rail and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government.
 
2011 is the European Year of Volunteering which included the recent volunteering road-show in the RDS. These events have also helped incease the awareness and particpitation in volunteering.
 
 
For further information of what’s happening in the Dublin City South area contact edwina@volunteerdublin.ie