National Volunteering Week commences on Monday the 16^th and runs until Sunday the 22nd of May and we would love if your organisation would get involved. The week is dedicated to showcasing the contribution of volunteers and their impact on our communities.

This year’s theme is Celebrate Volunteers and the theme whilst broad will be anchored nationally by a digital campaign #CelebrateVolunteers which we in Kerry Volunteer Centre are inviting and encouraging all local Volunteer Involving Organisations in Kerry to get involved with. There is so much scope for local #CelebrateVolunteers events and social media messaging during the week but here are some ideas of what could work for you locally:

1. Coffee and Cake Celebration to thank your Volunteers
2. Showcase the community benefit of individuals volunteering with your organisation e.g: before and after pictures of a volunteer led project, or letting people know that by volunteering 2 hours per week, volunteers have facilitated A, B, C, D which will result in X, Y, Z locally.
3. Recognise how critical volunteers are to the availability of sports, arts and culture in your communities be that a festivals, Christmas newsletter, to community centre classes to local sports clubs.
4. Share stories of volunteers who help sustain essential services in your communities and give back by being involved with Meals and Wheels,  community laundry, Tidy Towns, Youth Clubs,  Walking Clubs etc.

If you would like to chat through any ideas or need any support feel free to call me on 066 7117966 or email geraldine@volunteerkerry.ie