“I wanted to start volunteering, so I registered on I-VOL.ie and started looking for opportunities. I registered as a Community Volunteer with Fingal Volunteer Centre and received training in community event volunteering.
“I also volunteer as a Patient Befriender in the Royal Hospital Dublin, Donnybrook. I visit several patients on a weekly basis for bedside chats, going for coffee, or just being there, watching television together.
“I find it really rewarding, I get so much of out of it. Although I am giving my time, I gain so much as well from a mental health perspective.
“I work full-time but it’s nice to volunteer and have something else to focus on, meeting some fantastic people along the way.
“I recommend everyone find a way to volunteer in their community. Just go to I-VOL.ie and sign up, search the site for roles, and apply.”
This National Volunteering Week, we’re celebrating the kindness, compassion, and generosity of volunteers like Simon.
Thank you to Simon for sharing his Volunteer Story. Please email [email protected] if you’d like to share yours!
