One of the big lessons of the covid pandemic has been the important contribution made by volunteers within the community.
Volunteers have made a huge difference to the lives of people in local communities throughout County Louth and yesterday their work was recognised by the Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien, when he said: “For a small county Louth has really punched above its weight…”
Mr. O’Brien was speaking at the launch of the County Louth Volunteering Framework 2020 – 2023, the first document of its kind at County level in Ireland, which will shape policy and resourcing in relation to volunteering in Louth in the coming years.
It recognises and values the contribution of volunteers; seeks to expand the demographics of volunteering; supports those who support volunteers and aims to help make it easier for people in Louth to access voluntary activity. Speaking at the virtual launch event, Minister O’Brien said;
“‘For a small county Louth has really punched above its weight with the launch of this vision for volunteering in the county and it is leading the way nationally in terms of what other counties could be doing. It’s a credit to all involved and real evidence of what can be achieved with true collaborative working.
“Volunteering makes a huge contribution to our quality of life, and the health of our volunteers and our communities. It provides opportunities for all age groups to involve themselves, consciously and actively, in their own development and in the development of society.
“Involvement in Community initiatives empowers people and provides them with the opportunity and framework to make a difference in the locality in which they live. That’s what makes volunteers so important; it’s a win win for all concerned, for the individual and the greater community here in Louth who will be strengthened by this new Framework…
“I would like to congratulate all of those who collaborated on the development of the Framework and wish you well as you move forward with its implementation”.
The delivery of the Framework will be overseen by an Implementation Group appointed by Louth Local Community Development Committee (LCDC).
Joan Martin, the Chair of Louth LCDC said, “If nothing else the past year has proven the value of volunteers and volunteering to our communities. Here in Louth we have a vibrant volunteering community, as seen in the response to the COVID 19 crisis, however we also recognise that this is something that needs to be nurtured and supported.
“As the Chair of Louth Local Community Development Committee and Chief Executive of Louth County Council I am proud that we are the first County to deliver a Volunteering Framework and to recognise the value of volunteering at County level in this way.”
Ciarán Reid, CEO of Louth LEADER Partnership remarked at the launch “This framework is actually a national achievement and a milestone for our County. It appreciates that there is a place for all citizens in our society to participate at community level. We are very pleased to be associated with it and look forward to working with Louth Volunteer Centre and Louth Local Community Development Committee in supporting the implementation of the Volunteering Framework”
Gráinne Berrill, Louth Volunteer Centre Manager said: “This Framework recognises, supports and formalises the volunteering ecosystem and conditions required to empower people to volunteer and to feel the inherent enriching benefits of volunteering. It is really exciting to be the first County in Ireland to develop such a model and we can’t wait to get stuck into achieving it’s outcomes!”
“Independent Councillor Maeve Yore said that she is delighted that Louth has lead the way during National Volunteering Week by being the first in Ireland to launch the County Louth Volunteering Framework 2020-2023.
“It will help locally and nationally to embed volunteering into our daily lives” she said. “This Volunteering Framework will shape local resourcing and policy and will give an integrated approach to promote and support our volunteers from diverse backgrounds.
“As a lifelong Volunteer and former Board Member of Louth Volunteer Centre I know the positive impact volunteering has and It’s worth noting Louth Volunteers have played a pivotal and vital role during this Covid pandemic with over 70 voluntary organisations with hundreds of volunteers across Louth answering their communities call” she said.
“I feel this Framework which is strongly aligned to the National Volunteering Strategy 2021-2025 can only enhance and build on the safe, effective, expert volunteer standards needed moving forward.
“I commend Louth Volunteer Centre’s vibrant, dynamic staff lead by Gráinne Berrill, Louth Community Development Committee and Louth Leader Partnership for their collaborative work on this project.”
To request a copy of the County Louth Volunteering Framework, or if you would like more information aboutvolunteering in Louth, contact Louth Volunteer Centre at 041 9809 008, info@volunteerlouth.ie or www.volunteerlouth.ie
