Thanking volunteers
By Mary Dennehy
DO YOU know somebody who volunteered across South Dublin County during Covid-19?
The South Dublin County Volunteer Centre wants to gather and thank all those who have volunteered across the county during Covid-19, as part of the South Dublin County Volunteer Frontline Heroes 2020 campaign.
Seán Moynihan (ALONE), Mary Quinn (Irish Cancer Society), Emma Hopper (Volunteer Ireland), Amy Woods (Volunteer Ireland), Linda Smith (Women’s Aid) and Emma Barnes (Aware) coming together to say thank you to volunteers who have given so much during Covid-19
The local volunteer centre is publishing stories and a roll of honour with the names of those who volunteered across South Dublin County communities.
In partnership with South Dublin County Council, the volunteer centre is now calling on volunteer-involving organisations, groups and clubs to put forward people who assisted the community through their volunteering efforts.
The South Dublin County Volunteer Centre is running the local campaign as part of National Volunteering Week 2020, which, launched this week, has a focus on thanking volunteers nationwide.
Representatives from charities including Aware, Alone, the Irish Cancer Society and Women’s Aid, joined Volunteer Ireland to launch the programme and thank all volunteers who have given so much.
Running from September 21 to 27, National Volunteer Week is organised by Volunteer Ireland and the network of 22 volunteer centres nationwide.
According to South Dublin County Volunteer Centre Manager, Trisha Nolan: “Volunteers do so much for our communities every day, and in particular during the current pandemic volunteers have been astounding.
“Now is our chance to give something back to these extraordinary people who give so much for others.
“We want volunteers across South Dublin County to take a moment to do something for themselves during National Volunteering Week – to acknowledge their efforts, and think about their own wellbeing.
“But most of all, we want to say thank you to each and every volunteer for everything that they do.
“We’d also like to encourage anyone that has been impacted by a volunteer to take a moment to say thank you.”
As part of this year’s campaign, volunteers are also being encouraged to take stock of their own mental health and wellbeing as living and working through a pandemic can be challenging.
Kate O’Flaherty, Head of Health and Wellbeing at the Department of Health, said “Volunteering has a critical role to play in supporting healthy, resilient communities.
“Volunteers have been an integral part of the response to Covid-19 and it is essential that they take time to focus on their own health and well-being during these challenging times and the months ahead.
“We are delighted to partner with National Volunteering Week again this year and say thank you to volunteers in communities across the country.”
For further information visit www.volunteer.ie or for details on the South Dublin County Volunteer Roll of Honour 2020 email sharon@ volunteersouthdublin.ie.
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