Volunteering week offers a range of events

NATIONAL Volunteering Week got under way on Monday and many people in Wicklow give up their time to help their communities.

During lockdown, many volunteers stepped up to support members of their local community cocooning or in need of additional supports. Special events are running during National Volunteer Week to thank volunteers and to encourage them to focus on their own wellbeing.

Leah Kinsella, Wicklow Volunteer Centre Manager said, ‘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 County Wicklow to take a moment to do something for themselves during National Volunteering Week – there are free events running all week from yoga classes to mental health workshops to webinars. 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.’

National Volunteering Week usually takes place in May, but was postponed due to Covid-19.

County Wicklow Volunteer Centre works with the people of Wicklow, regardless of race, religion, creed, sexual orientation, social status, age, educational ability and experience to help them find a volunteering position that that will allow them to actively contribute to the development of their community and give them a sense of well-being and individual value. County Wicklow Volunteer Centre also works with volunteer-involving-organisations across the county to help them find volunteers and provides training in volunteer leadership, a Garda Vetting service and support and information on all things volunteering. For further information, call Leah on 085 862 2051, email leah@ volunteerwicklow.ie, visit www. volunteer.ie/events/nvw/10061