News for Volunteers

The start of a new year is a natural time to reflect, reset, and set intentions for the months ahead. Many of us promise to get fitter, be more mindful, or give back more—but one resolution has the power to tick all those boxes at once: volunteering.Whether you can spare an hour a month or a few hours a week, volunteering in the new year is one of the most meaningful commitments you can make. It benefits not only those who receive support, but also volunteers themselves and the wider community.

Volunteers Spread Christmas Cheer by Delivering 70 Festive Meals Across County Louth On Christmas Day, volunteers from across County Louth gave the gift of time, kindness, and connection by delivering 70 festive meals to vulnerable members of the community who would otherwise have spent the day alone.

Spreading Christmas Cheer Across Local Care Homes In the week leading up to Christmas, a simple idea turned into a powerful act of kindness, thanks to the generosity of local volunteers and the spirit of community giving. As part of a special Christmas gifting project, 150 carefully prepared gift packs were delivered to residents in three local care settings: St. Oliver Plunkett Hospital, Curam Care Home, and Áras Mhuire.

Louth Volunteer Centre is calling on local organisations and community-minded people across County Louth to STEP UP, CELEBRATE, and NOMINATE at a special event this November. On Wednesday 5th November (coinciding with International Volunteer Managers Day), the stunning Bellingham Castle will host Lead with Purpose: Louth Trustee Celebration & Showcase from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM — an evening dedicated to celebrating the people who lead with heart and purpose on charity and community boards. This special evening will unite graduates of the Louth Trustee Training Programme, board members, volunteer-involving organisations, and members of the public interested in becoming trustees. It will also feature the Louth Volunteer Leader Awards 2025, honouring those who guide, inspire, and empower volunteers across the county.

Here at Louth Volunteer Centre, we couldn’t be more excited to have spent an incredible week celebrating National Volunteering Week 2025. This year’s theme, ‘Building Community Together’, resonated deeply with all of us as we reflected on the powerful impact of volunteers in shaping and strengthening our local communities.The week was brimming with inspiring events held throughout County Louth. We kicked off the celebrations on Monday, 19th May, with our Annual General Meeting (AGM). A heartfelt thank you to Louth County Council for graciously hosting us in their stunning new building on Fair Street, Drogheda. The AGM provided a perfect moment to come together with some of our outstanding volunteers, board members, local councillors, and key stakeholders. It’s always a fantastic opportunity to reflect on the year gone by, celebrate our collective achievements, and look ahead to the future.During the AGM, we were privileged to hear from a few of our volunteers who shared their personal stories about the impact of their involvement in various projects across the county. Their stories were truly moving, and it was clear that the sense of community and connection fostered through volunteering is something truly special. As we all listened, it became evident that this was exactly what National Volunteering Week is all about: acknowledging and celebrating the selfless contributions of volunteers.