PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday 17th August 2021
Calling all Communities!
Nominations Open to Recognise Fingal County’s Volunteers
The Volunteer Ireland Awards opened for nominations today as communities are called upon to celebrate the people that make a difference through volunteering. The awards recognise the immense contribution volunteers make to communities across Ireland, with one outstanding volunteer being named Christine Buckley Volunteer of the Year.
According to Daiga Martins Borges, Fingal Volunteer Centre Manager says, ‘The response throughout the COVID-19 pandemic a testament to the remarkable generosity of spirit among volunteers. We are so fortunate to have a wonderful cohort of volunteers in Fingal who make such a valuable contribution to our community. Both in challenging times and all year round, volunteers continuously step forward to help neighbours, friends and family while engaging with community organisations. The Volunteer Ireland Awards are an opportunity to celebrate their commitment and show our appreciation.
Joe O’Brien TD, Minister of State for Community Development and Charities, said, ‘I know first-hand the importance of volunteering for the benefit of our society, and I am delighted to support this year’s Volunteer Ireland Awards. Through these annual awards, Volunteer Ireland highlight the remarkable contribution of the selfless volunteers throughout the country. While the upheaval of COVID-19 was unprecedented, so too was the incredible response of volunteers. If you know a volunteer that makes a difference, please nominate them for a Volunteer Ireland Award.’
Healthy Ireland have once again partnered with Volunteer Ireland to support the awards, and they say the importance of volunteering for health and wellbeing is more apparent than ever. Frank Feighan TD, Minister of State for Public Health, Wellbeing, and the National Drugs Strategy said ‘Volunteering promotes social interaction and community involvement. Research shows that those who volunteer say they feel useful, purposeful, and valued, improving their emotional wellbeing. Volunteering improves both our mental health and the health of our communities. We are delighted to support the Volunteer Ireland Awards, which highlight the invaluable impact of volunteers throughout Ireland.’
The awards are open to volunteers of all ages in the Republic of Ireland and there are twelve award categories, including a COVID-19 category, which recognises the incredible contribution of volunteers throughout the pandemic. One nominee will be named the Christine Buckley Volunteer of the Year.
Each person nominated will receive a special thank you card from Volunteer Ireland. The Volunteer Ireland Awards will be held in December, subject to public health guidelines at the time. Nominations are open and can be made online https://volunteer.submit.com/
Notes to Editor
About Volunteer Ireland
Volunteer Ireland is the national volunteer development organisation and a support body for all local Volunteer Centres and Volunteering Information Services in Ireland. Our vision is an Ireland where everyone who wants to volunteer can volunteer to create a better society. Volunteer Ireland works to increase awareness of access to and quality in volunteering in Ireland. For further information, visit: http://www.volunteer.ie/
About the Volunteer Ireland Awards
Anyone can nominate a volunteer, and the 12 categories are:
- Arts, Culture & Festivals
- Campaigning & Activism
- Children & Youth
- Environmental & Animal Care
- Health & Wellbeing
- Safety & Emergency Services
- Social Inclusion & Community Support
- Sports & Recreations
- COVID-19
- Small Group (3-20 volunteers)
- Large Group (20+ volunteers)
- Volunteer Manager
There is also a special commendation for Volunteer Manager of the Year which can be a paid or voluntary position. All awardees are automatically eligible for the overall Volunteer of the Year Award. Nominations close at midnight on Sunday 10th October and can be made online at https://volunteer.submit.com/. The Christine Buckley Volunteer of the Year Award along with the 36 awardees will be honoured at the Volunteer Ireland Awards on the 3rd of December 2021.
