Week-long celebration of volunteering kicking off in Mayo

A week-long celebration of volunteering will kick off in Mayo on May 19.

National Volunteering Week (May 19-25) takes place during the third week of May every year and is dedicated to showcasing the enormous contribution of volunteers and their impact on our communities.

Throughout the week, events will be held nationwide to celebrate and promote volunteering. In Mayo, activities will range from capturing inspiring volunteer stories and organising beach clean-ups, to the Ballina District Hospital rejuvenation project and the Cosy Blanket initiative – an uplifting collaboration with Mayo Hospice. The week will also feature volunteering information sessions aimed at encouraging more people to get involved and how community groups can support their volunteers.

This year’s theme is Building Community Together, with a specific focus on the social opportunities that volunteering offers such as meeting new people, making friends and connecting with your community.

Kim Merrifield, Mayo Volunteer Centre manager, commented: “Outside of home and work, volunteering is the ‘third space’ for many people where we connect, empathise, laugh and nurture. The bonds that are built through volunteering strengthen our communities and unite us as we mind each other.

“National Volunteering Week is an opportunity for the whole country to celebrate how our countless instances of supporting our community connects us into a huge network of care.”

National Volunteering Week will be anchored by a digital campaign sharing personal volunteer stories and encouraging people across the country to think about the incredible impact that volunteers have on our communities.

National Volunteering Week 2025 is sponsored by the Irish League of Credit Unions who understand the importance of volunteering with over 3,200 volunteers on the island of Ireland.

Said Brendan Jenkins, president of the Irish League of Credit Unions: "We are delighted to sponsor National Volunteering Week, an initiative that aligns perfectly with the credit union philosophy of ‘people helping people.’ As member-owned financial cooperatives, volunteerism is at the heart of what we do. It strengthens communities, fosters connection and empowers people. Our sponsorship reinforces our dedication to community service, financial wellbeing and our cooperative principles.”

National Volunteering Week runs from May 19 to 25 and further information can be found here.