County Louth Volunteering Framework

In 2019 Louth Volunteer Centre secured funding through the LEADER Rural Development Programme to commission the first County Volunteering Strategy in Ireland, on behalf of Louth Local Community Development Committee (LCDC). Following an open tender process Blu Zebra were appointed consultants to develop the strategy and a comprehensive community consultation process commenced in late 2019 with over 350 people participating. The COVID19 crisis of 2020 delayed the publication of the document somewhat but also proved the importance of volunteers and volunteering to our communities along with the need to nurture and support volunteerism.

Click the link below to explore the County Louth Volunteering Framework 2020-2023 

County Louth Volunteering Framework 2020 - 2023

Publication launch

The County Louth Volunteering Framework was launched on the 21^st May 2021 as part of National Volunteering Week, by Minister Joe O’Brien of the Department of Rural and Community Development. Speaking at the launch 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, Chair of Louth LCDC noted “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.”

The Framework was informed by an indepth consultation process involving over 350 people across Louth. Louth Volunteer Centre secured funding through the LEADER Rural Development Programme to appoint BluZebra as consultants to undertake this process. Gráinne Berrill, Louth Volunteer Centre Manager noted “People from all walks of life, ages and backgrounds volunteer. They are quietly making a difference to all our lives. In Louth Volunteer Centre our vision is that our community will be enriched by the benefits of volunteering. 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”

Case Studies

Ejiro's Story

Patrick's Story

Shannon's Story

Microvolunteering Story - Cards of Care

Extreme Makeover - COVID19!

Nicola's Story

 

Appendices

County Louth Volunteering Framework Appendices

 

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Introduction

Louth Volunteer Centre have secured funding through the LEADER programme to commission the first County Volunteering Strategy in Ireland. Volunteering is changing and needs to be nurtured and supported to continue to have the immense impact on our communities that is currently the case. County Louth Volunteering Strategy will shape local policy and resourcing relating to volunteering into the future. Following an open tender process Blu Zebra were appointed to develop the Strategy document which will be completed in 2019. We would like you to contribute to this process.

Have your say on the shape of volunteering in County Louth:

Participate in our online survey:

Blu Zebra have designed a comprehensive survey to measure the conditions relating to volunteering in County Louth today. Click on the relevant link below to ensure that your experience and opinions are included:

For Volunteers

For Organisations who involve Volunteers in their work (including voluntary boards): 

 

Participate in our focus groups:

We are holding a series of focus groups, facilitated by the Blu Zebra team. Dates and locations below, click on this link to book your place and stay up to date with information on these focus groups

Date	Time	Location
19/09/2019	14-00 – 15.30	Drogheda
19/09/2019	19.00 – 20.30	Mid Louth (Ardee/Dunleer)
26/09/2019	11.00 – 13.00	DkIT Volunteer Fair (organisations & volunteers already in attendance will be invited to participate)
26/09/2019	14.00 – 15.30	Dundalk

Participate in our Round Table Workshop:

The round table workshop will present the initial findings from survey and desktop research and is an opportunity for you to give feedback on these findings and influence the development of the strategy itself including aims and objectives and specific actions.

Date	Time	Location
21/10/2019	10.00 – 12.00	Venue TBC dependent on participant location

Click here to book your place in this workshop.