My name is Emily, I am a volunteer with South Dublin County Volunteer Centre and I have volunteered with them for ten years. I began volunteering when I was training with Cheeverstown. They arranged for me to visit the Tallaght Volunteer Bureau and I think I was the first volunteer placed there. Back then I worked with Tricia the manager, and Denise in a small office over the Citizen’s Information Centre in Tallaght Village. There have been many changes since I started. The Centre has moved premises twice, changed its name to South Dublin County Volunteer Centre and also become very busy with many new people looking to volunteer.
I love my volunteer work, it gives me something to do. I help with the filing, posting the mail, ,I answer the phone sometimes and do general office duties. I had a paid job once but was let go but I always have my volunteer work. I like meeting new people and working as a volunteer lets me do this. I also like working with Pat, Tricia and Deirdre. They are good to me and make me feel like I am doing good work. I volunteer one day a week and I also still attend High Street in Tallaght another part of Cheeverstown for travel training and jobs club.
On the National Day of volunteering Tricia gave me a badge that says” I’m a volunteer. I love my badge and wear it every week. I’m proud to be a volunteer.
One day I hope to get another paid job and my work as a volunteer is helping me to do that. Even if I get a paid job I hope to keep volunteering as I would miss my friends at the Centre.
Emily.