This newsletter contains information on:

• October focus on: Volunteer Roles in Research and Studies
• Other New Volunteering Opportunities
• Community Volunteers
• Update: Fingal Volunteer of the Year 2026 Awards
• Centre Pop-up at a library near you

October focus on: Volunteer Roles in Research and Studies

Did you know that taking part in a study is actually a great way to volunteer? Organisations across Ireland, from universities to health charities, rely on people like you to help them find answers to important questions about healthcare, community services, and science.

Here is what you need to know about getting involved:

Who can join?
Every study needs different people. Some look for any members of the public, while others want to hear from specific age groups, specific genders, or people with particular health conditions.

What do you have to do?
It depends on the project. Depending on the research study, participants may be asked to do any of the following:

• Fill out an online survey about a research topic
• Take part in a quick interview, in person or online
• Provide basic physical measurements, such as height, weight, blood pressure, or blood sugar levels, or provide biological samples, such as non-invasive cheek swabs
• Complete cognitive tasks, such as puzzles, logic, or maths games
• Use a wearable tracking device or keep a log of food habits, exercise, sleep, and more for a week or a month and provide data to researcher
• Take part in focus groups or advisory panels to share their expertise and lived experience

The research team will always explain exactly what is expected from the  volunteers before the study begins. They will also clearly outline how your data will be safely stored and used, so you can make an informed choice.
Taking part in research is simple and very flexible way to make a difference. Check out following I-VOL volunteering opportunities available in research:

• Male Participants Aged 40-49 Years in Neuroscience Study with School of Psychology (Trinity College Dublin)
• Volunteer Research Participant – Volunteer Patient Partners – PACT@tcd (Patient And Clinicians Together in Radiation Oncology with Trinity College Dublin (from home)
• Volunteer Research Participant – Tinnitus Treatment Study with Lab CLINT (Dublin 2)
• Research Participants for Perceived Stress and Diet Quality Survey in Women with Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Sligo (from home)
• Research participants for Household Food & Health Study with UCD Institute of Food & Health (from home)
• Research Study Participant – seeking women with obstructive sleep apnoea! With University College Dublin (Dublin 4)
• Women Who Don’t Take Part in Sport or Physical Activity – Share Your Experiences with Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Sports Partnership (Online or in a local community setting)

Other New Volunteering Opportunities

Here are some other new opportunities that have been posted this month on I-VOL:

• Swords Resident – App Testing Volunteer with Swords Woodland Association (Remote, for Swords residents only)
• Volunteer Driver & Companion with Move4Parkinsons (Castleknock, Dublin 15)
• Down Syndrome Youth Club Volunteer with Down Syndrome Centre- Swords (Swords)
• General Stewards- Opening Event 20th November with Open Hearts Balbriggan (Balbriggan)
• Fundraising Volunteer with Skerries Arch Club (Mostly remote)
• DIY Volunteer with Fingal Leader Partnership CLG (Various locations in Fingal)
• Fundraising Co-Ordinator with Skerries Arch Club (Mostly remote)
• Website Designer / Developer with OCD Ireland (Remote)
• Learn to make a Podcast – Find Your Voice with Unity in Community Overall (Dublin City Centre)
• Make Christmas Decorations with Unity In Community Overall (Dublin City Centre)

Community Volunteers 

This month, we supported the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind (IGDB) annual fundraiser at Blanchardstown Shopping Centre. Thanks to the support of our Community Volunteers, the funds raised exceeded expectations!

These funds will help IGDB train guide dogs for individuals who are visually impaired, as well as service dogs for autistic children.

As the Community Volunteers programme is winding down for the year, we are already working on an exciting lineup of events for next year. New events will be posted early in the new year for volunteers to sign up.  If you are new to I-VOL and have registered your interest in becoming a Community Volunteer, our CV manager will reach out early next year with details on how to get involved.

Update: Fingal Volunteer of the Year 2026 Awards

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who nominated an inspiring individual for the Fingal Volunteer of the Year 2026 Awards.

With 136 wonderful nominations received from across Fingal, the Review Committee is currently busy reading every story shared through nominations. We will announce the 5 shortlisted nominees shortly ahead of the awards ceremony in December.

Keep an eye on our Facebook page- Volunteer Fingal, where we will be revealing the 5 shortlisted nominees very soon.

Volunteer Centre Pop-up at a library near you 

Looking for something different?

Meet us at a library near you across Fingal to chat about your interests and receive guidance on suitable volunteer roles. Our Volunteer Centre Pop-ups provide a great opportunity to meet a member of our team in person, ask questions about volunteering, and receive personalised advice to help shape and support your volunteering journey.

No appointment is needed—just drop in and take the first step towards finding your ideal volunteer role!

Check out our website for the schedule of Pop-Ups happening this month and find one near you.

Make most of the Volunteer Centre Pop-ups near you in November to drop your Christmas and New Year cards.