'What I enjoy most about volunteering is that I am helping to provide something for young people to do and somewhere where they can meet up and be safe whilst building friendships and learning skills which will help them in the future.' (read more)

My name is Leanne Donaghy and I am 24 years old. I got involved in volunteering when I turned 16 in February 2002. My first volunteer role was in Save The Children charity shop in Bangor. I volunteered there for six years in total. Throughout my time there I gained a lot of experience. (read more)

Joanna Jones, 32 from Lisburn has been a volunteer with Guide Dogs for over four years ever since she completed a tandem sky dive for the charity and wanted to get more involved. (read more )

When I first started volunteering with CVNI I had no interest in conservation work, I didn't even want to get my hands dirty, but that all changed. I have gained qualifications I didn't think I would get and I have never looked back and I would recommend volunteering to anybody. (read more )

Rachael Sewell, 21, from Belfast has been a volunteer with Mencap's Shout Out Self-Advocacy Group for the past four years. Shout Out is about young people having the right to shout out and develop their self-advocacy skills and take part in consultations, campaigns and workshops. (read more)

I was brought up in a 'volunteering' family where my mum, dad and other relatives were all heavily involved in our local club. That was probably my 'grounding' in volunteerism. (read more)

Before I went away I never really did any volunteering at all, I always thought that there were other people out there who could do it. But I have now learnt that it is everyone's responsibility to get involved in some way. (read more)

It's in Northern Ireland where I have felt most at home and where I've experienced like nowhere else an overwhelming understanding that we are in fact able to change things if we all work together with one goal in mind: helping others. (read more)

Rachel Moore is a student at Lumen Christi College and has been volunteering at Altnagelvin Hospital since October, as part of the Millennium Volunteers programme, which recognises sustained commitment to volunteering. (read more)

Students should think about volunteering this Student Volunteering Week, 22-28 February. As students generally have a lot of free time it is a great way to learn new skills, take on a challenge and get the opportunity to do things you wouldn't normally do. (read more)

Sonya Hall is Chairperson of Hill Croft School Parent Teacher Association. The PTA was formed in 1987 and its aim is to raise funds for the children who attend the school in New Mossley, Newtownabbey. (read more)

'I travelled and worked abroad when I was a student and I was always very well looked after while in other countries so it's nice to be able to help other people who are new to my country.' (read more)

If you would like to share your story with us to help encourage other people to think about volunteering we would like to hear from you. Email maria@volunteering-ni.org for more information.

Volunteering has given me the opportunity to travel throughout Europe (read more)