Press Release from Volunteer Centres Ireland

Date: 2^nd September 2009

THE recession has seen a massive increase in the number of Irish people seeking to volunteer in their local communities.

New figures released today (WEDNESDAY) show that the amount of citizens who are prepared to give up their time to help others has more than doubled over the past year.

For the first time a large number of young people are citing the fact that they have recently been made redundant as a primary reason for volunteering. The release of these new figures from Volunteer Centres Ireland (VCI) coincide with the latest statistics from the CSO, which shows that more than 440,000 people are now on the Live Register. The standardized unemployment rate has climbed to 12.4%.

A total of 8,551 individuals have registered to volunteer with Volunteer Centres Ireland – the state supported national volunteering organisation.  This represents an increase of more than 115 per cent on last year.

There has also been a large increase in the number of not-for-profit organisations looking for volunteers to assist them.  This figure now stands at 3,650 representing an increase of more than 1,000 over the past year.

More than 2,500 individuals have already been placed in volunteering opportunities which will generate almost one quarter of a million hours of volunteering in 2009.  This directly equates to nearly 150 full-time equivalent workers and almost €3.5 million in earnings.

The Chief Executive of VCI, Yvonne McKenna, says the most striking aspect of the new figures is the changing profile of volunteers in Ireland and how young people are reacting to the recession.

“One positive consequence of our changed economic circumstances has been an explosion in active citizenship as people are seeking to re-engage in their communities and help both others and themselves by volunteering,” said Dr McKenna.

“It has become abundantly clear that thousands of people who have either lost their jobs or, indeed, cannot find work after graduating from second or third level education are being proactive and are seeking out fulfilling opportunities and the chance to learn skills that could lead to full-time employment.

“Our 20 Volunteer Centres around the country, which match willing volunteers with suitable opportunities in their area, and our website, www.volunteer.ie, have witnessed unprecedented activity recently.”

Seven out of ten volunteers are 35 years of age or younger.  Half of these are below the age of 25.  Six out of ten people who have registered to volunteer this year have never done so before.

Of the volunteers who have recently been made redundant, 60 per cent are below the age of 35.

“Irish society and the economic landscape has changed faster over the past 18 months than it has in several decades.  Hundreds of thousands of people who have lost their jobs are suffering but community organisations that provide essential services to the less well off have also seen their funding radically cut,” said Dr McKenna.

“The silver lining in this very dark cloud is the way that people who have little or no previous experience of economic hardship have reacted.  They are stepping up, showing solidarity and seeking out opportunities where they can donate their time and existing abilities while helping others and acquiring new skills.

“We have witnessed several situations where people who have volunteered have found work directly as a result of that process and who continue to volunteer while working.”

Ends

For more information or to set up an interview with Dr Yvonne McKenna please contact Deirdre Grant on 086 0484 279

Editor’s note:

Volunteer Centres Ireland (VCI) is the representative body for Ireland’s community of Volunteer Centres. It is a national organisation with responsibility for developing volunteering nationally and locally. VCI manage the only national database of volunteering opportunities through its website - volunteer.ie.

There are currently 20 volunteer centres that are members of VCI, located across the length and breadth of the country. As well as coordinating activities for the national day of volunteering, VCI regularly contribute to the debate on the role of the voluntary sector in Ireland and assisted the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in developing the national policy on volunteer centres in Ireland.