Celebrating Heart of Community on International Volunteers Day

Volunteers from across Westmeath gathered for a day of recognition on Friday week last, joining in the global celebration that was International Volunteers Day – dedicated to recognising the people who give their time, skills and energy to support others.

For the Westmeath Volunteer Centre, the day is an important opportunity to highlight the often unseen work of volunteers who strengthen community life in countless ways.

Although National Volunteering Week also takes place annually, International Volunteers Day carries a unique significance. “It’s international rather than just our national week,” Westmeath Volunteer Centre coordinator Sharon Timothy told the Westmeath Examiner. “It comes close to Christmas, but we celebrate it every year because volunteers deserve that recognition.”

For several years, the centre has marked the occasion by sending out tea hampers to organisations, encouraging them to hold small celebrations with their volunteers. It’s a simple gesture, but one that reflects deep appreciation.

The centre has also introduced a volunteer award to further acknowledge outstanding contributions: “They’re all winners,” Sharon emphasised, noting that while only 20 awards were handed out this year, many more volunteers across the county are equally deserving. The goal is not competition, but recognition – a way to honour the spirit of generosity that exists in every parish, club and community group.

Volunteering, of course, happens far beyond the walls of the Volunteer Centre. From local GAA clubs to fundraising events and community festivals, people contribute in ways that are often informal and unrecorded. This presents a challenge: “We’ve been put there through the government to try and get stats on who’s volunteering,” Sharon says. “It’s hard to monitor.” Many volunteers simply help out because they care, without ever thinking to register with the centre. A major focus this year is reconnecting with groups and rebuilding awareness. The centre manages a large database, iVolve, which allows them to advertise volunteer roles and connect people with opportunities that match their interests. “A lot of volunteering groups don’t know we’re there,” Sharon admitted. The team now works proactively, visiting organisations, helping them frame volunteer roles, and supporting them to attract the help they need.

That support is crucial for both sides: groups seeking hands to run events like Halloween festivals, and individuals eager to volunteer but unsure where to start. “It’s support for supporters,” Sharon said at the gathering in Belvedere House last Friday week. From garden clubs to community parks, they help organisations reach the volunteers who can keep these initiatives thriving.

Across Westmeath, the message is clear – volunteers are at the heart of community life, and the Volunteer Centre stands ready to champion them every step of the way.