Meet your volunteering match in minutes at Laois Volunteer Centre speedmatching

Laois Volunteer Centre is delighted to announce its upcoming Volunteer Speed Matching as part of National Volunteering Week 2023.

They say this unique event promises to be a fun-filled evening, bringing together over 30 charities and community groups from County Laois to meet and connect with up to 50 potential volunteers.

The Centre says volunteering with local non-profits and community groups in Laois can provide an abundance of benefits not only for the individuals who volunteer but also for the community as a whole.

The Centre team says that volunteering is a great way to give back and make a positive impact on those around you. They add that many non-profits and community organisations rely on volunteers to carry out their mission, and they often have a variety of opportunities available. Whether you want to give back, learn new skills, or meet new people, volunteering can be a great way to make a positive impact.

But how do you find the right volunteering opportunity for you?

The Centre says the Volunteer Speed Matching event is the first of its kind in County Laois and has been designed to provide a relaxed and informal space for charities and community groups to entice volunteers to contribute their time and efforts to their respective causes.

They say volunteer speed matching follows a format similar to that of speed dating, where individuals rotate through stations to meet potential matches. In this case, volunteers rotate through stations to learn about different non-profit and community organisations and their volunteer opportunities.

They add that each station will have representatives from different organisations, who provide information about their mission, volunteer opportunities, and requirements. Volunteers are given a set amount of time at each station, approx. 3 minutes, to ask questions, get information, and learn more about the organisation.

When the time is up, volunteers move on to the next station.

Alongside this, there will be a raffle and guest speakers on the night, followed by refreshments, allowing attendees to stay after the matching rounds have ended and interact further.

After the event, volunteers are encouraged to follow up with Laois Volunteer Centre in relation to the organisations that they were interested in and begin the volunteering process.

Caitriona Ryan is the Manager of Laois Volunteer Centre.

“This event is a fantastic opportunity for both charities and volunteers to connect in a fun and engaging way. We are excited to see what partnerships are created on the day and the positive impact this will have on the community,” she said.

Karen Chadwick, Volunteer Development Officer with Laois Volunteer Centre. She spoke further about the event.

“In addition to the traditional roles of volunteering, there are also many opportunities for volunteers to work remotely or from home. With the increasing importance of social media and online communication, many organizations are in need of volunteers to contribute to their digital presence. For example as a Social Media Admin person for Facebook, Instagram accounts.

“These volunteers play an important role in promoting the work and activities of various community groups, charities, and organizations.

“There are also some more unusual volunteering roles such as visiting prisoners, supporting victims in court, writing kitty profiles, and mentoring people with disabilities.

“Overall, there is a vast array of volunteering roles available in Laois, catering to a diverse range of interests, skills and ages. Whether it's working in a charity shop, helping with community events, or offering virtual support, there is no shortage of opportunities for volunteers to make a positive impact in their communities,” said the Development Officer.

The Centre says volunteer speed matching can be an excellent opportunity to connect community members with local community groups and non-profits. It fosters a sense of community and can act as a catalyst for positive change in the community.

Additionally, they say it provides organisations with a way to gain more volunteers and support for their cause.

Alongside this, they add that this fun and interactive approach to recruiting volunteers allows for a more productive and efficient way to connect community groups with potential volunteers.

Laois Volunteer Centre is an organisation that connects volunteers with non-profit organisations across the county. Its mission is to promote, support and develop volunteerism based on the values of inclusiveness, empowerment, solidarity and respect.

They event happening on Thursday, May 18 at 7pm at the Midlands Park Hotel in Portlaoise.

If you are interested in finding out more about the Volunteer Speed Matching event, please visit the website at www.volunteerlaois.ie or contact the Laois Volunteer Centre directly on 0892050593.

For further details, please contact: Karen Chadwick, Volunteer Development Officer, Laois Volunteer Centre on 0892050593 or at karen@volunteerlaois.ie