Ireland is the most charitable country in Europe for the second year running – that’s according to the most recent World Giving Index. The report revealed that 79 per cent of all Irish people donate money to charity, while 34 per cent donate their time in volunteering for a charitable organisation – a figure that’s 16 per cent above the global average.
Ireland is the most charitable country in Europe for the second year running – that’s according to the most recent World Giving Index.
The report revealed that 79 per cent of all Irish people donate money to charity, while 34 per cent donate their time in volunteering for a charitable organisation – a figure that’s 16 per cent above the global average.
Volunteer Ireland, the national volunteer development agency, reports that in the past two-and-a-half years they have registered 34,107 volunteers who have worked a total of more than a million hours and contributed a value of €22.7m to the economy.
“There is a huge range of benefits to volunteering and so much you can do within it,” says Phil Boughton, Volunteer Ireland’s communications and policy officer. “We have volunteers from kids to the elderly volunteering for practical projects, fundraising or skilled volunteering.”
Boughton believes the recession has actually done a lot to increase the volunteering movement over the last five or six years. “Especially with unemployment and underemployment so high, people have a lot of time on their hands,” he says. “With volunteering, they can do something proactive and meet new people. It also takes the edge off [the pressure of being unemployed] and just gets them out of the house.”
Many immigrants coming to Ireland have also taken an interest in volunteering for their host country, either out of appreciation for their new home or from a desire to learn more. According to Volunteer Ireland, 11 per cent of volunteers said they hoped to improve their skills while volunteering.
Whether they are short-stay residents, students studying in the country or those hoping to relocate to Ireland permanently, many people from around the world have chosen to volunteer here. And Boughton notes that Volunteer Ireland also welcomes a lot of asylum seekers to its centres looking to help out.
“Their status as asylum seekers means they cannot work [so] volunteering makes them feel like part of the local community. Moving can be daunting, but this gets you out and meeting people.”
The Dublin City South Volunteer Centre on Thomas Street boasts a large number of international volunteers. “Volunteering offers [new immigrants] a perfect opportunity to become part of the community, to make friends and to learn about the city,” says the organisation’s website.
The Guide for Migrant Jobseekers in Ireland, published by The Integration Centre, stresses the importance of volunteering for migrant workers who have not yet found a job in Ireland. Though they are not getting paid, volunteering gives migrants invaluable work experience and shows their dedication to future employers, which has led to a rise in interest for skilled volunteering.
“It is great to have this experience to put on your CV and develop the skills you need,” says Boughton.
- Volunteer Ireland’s National Volunteering Week runs till 19 May and aims to get immigrants and native Irish alike to volunteer within the community and raise awareness of the various issues affecting the country.
Anyone wishing to volunteer can visit volunteer.ie for details or find volunteer opportunities at activelink.ie.
