Volunteer centre for Offaly now up and running
A new volunteer centre for Offaly has opened at Bury Quay, Tullamore, in order to help match people willing to give their time with groups that are seeking volunteers.
The centre in Tullamore is located in the same complex as the Offaly Historical and Archaeological Society, and its opening was highlighted on Monday as National Volunteering Week got underway.
The board of the volunteer centre has been in place for over a year now, and Deirdre Fox took up her role as centre manager at the beginning of March. An additional position there is due to be filled in the coming weeks.
Speaking to the Offaly Independent on Wednesday, Deirdre explained that the volunteer centre was a countywide service and would be able to utilise the Offaly Local Development and Offaly County Council premises around the county in order to meet with organisations.
A website (volunteeroffaly.ie) has been launched where people can register if they are interested in volunteering, and where organisations can post volunteer opportunities that are currently available.
Deirdre said that for organisations seeking volunteers, it was important to clearly outline the role which they are seeking people to fulfil.
"We are encouraging people to have a look at the website, and if they are having any issues they can call into the office and we can go through it together," she said.
The office is currently open from 10am to 4pm, including during lunch, to give people who may be working a chance to call in should they need to do so.
On Monday Joe O'Brien, the Minister of State for Community Development and Charities, announced the opening of the Offaly centre along with six others serving Kilkenny, Leitrim, Laois, Roscommon, Waterford and Wexford.
The opening of these new centres means there's now a volunteer centre operating in every county.
The centres are supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development and, in addition to providing a volunteer placement service, they also provide training, Garda vetting, advice and supports to volunteer organisations.
The opening of the new centres was described as "momentous" by William Earley, the Chair of Volunteer Ireland.