Laois volunteers attend national Foroige conference

Foróige volunteers from Laois were joined by members from across the country for the annual volunteer conference in Co Offaly last weekend. 

Volunteers Denis Ryan, Sandra Hanniffy , Maureen Bradley were among those present at the 50th annual Foróige Volunteers Conference, with 120 delegates from 16 counties enjoying a wide variety of guest speakers, group discussions and social events aimed at exchanging ideas to continue Foróige volunteers' impactful work throughout Ireland. 

Minister Roderic O’Gorman visited the Tullamore Court Hotel and spoke to volunteers, praising their continued efforts throughout the pandemic.

“Foróige volunteers have helped create communities that are vital to our society. The value of the contributions that are made by these volunteers cannot be overstated.”

“Not only does volunteerism positively impact our communities but it can provide people with a sense of purpose, improving their own wellbeing, enhancing their empathy and allowing them to connect with young people in their communities. Foróige has to be commended for the innovative approach in involving young people in the decisions that impact their lives,” said Minister O’Gorman. 

 Foróige volunteers praised by Minister Roderic O’Gorman

Clinical psychologist, broadcaster and author, Dr David Coleman was the keynote speaker at the conference and gave his insights into how to communicate with and help teenagers tackle the problems they're facing in their lives. 

Foróige celebrated its 70th year anniversary with the first Club meeting in Mooncoin on  March 14, 1952. Foróige now has over 5,500 volunteers working in its 550 clubs, 150 projects and programmes, including Leadership for Life; Be Healthy Be Happy, the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), and Big Brother Big Sister. 

Foróige says its volunteers are essential to the organisation’s engagement with over 50,000 young people year after year. Foróige, with the help of volunteers, encourages young people to take responsibility for themselves and to be part of shaping the world around them while developing their talents, skills and abilities.

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Foróige Chairperson, Offaly woman Barbara Daly opened the conference and commented on the momentous anniversary. 

“This year marks the 70th Anniversary of Foroige, and if we view the challenges ahead through the lens of history, we see that the organisation has continually evolved and changed through those seven decades, adapting to the needs of a given generation of young people, crossing each hurdle in its path and using obstacles as springboards to progress,” she said.

Foróige says it aims to enable young people to involve themselves consciously and actively in their development and in the development of society.

Originally formed as the youth branch of Macra na Feirme - the group that would eventually go on to be named Foróige - from 12 pilot groups in its first year has grown to become Ireland’s largest youth development organisation with footholds of young people, volunteers and staff across Ireland.

Foróige says it has provided generations of young people in Ireland the opportunity to meaningfully engage with their communities and develop important life skills all while having fun and making friends for life. Throughout its history, Foróige as an organisation says it has been a catalyst of social change, strengthening Irish democracy by building human potential and promoting its application in community life.