Behind the scenes heroes applauded through biggest ever Volunteers’ Week in NI

Volunteers’ Week (2^nd-8^th June 2025) was one of the most successful to date in Northern Ireland, with almost 300 organisations hosting special events to recognise and thank the brilliant people that make a difference year round in their local community.

Fronted by Volunteer Now in Northern Ireland, Volunteers’ Week is aimed at celebrating the impact the half a million volunteers here make by giving their time for others. For the first time, Volunteers’ Week was sponsored by the Irish League of Credit Unions.

Jane Gribbin, Volunteer Now, said: “Volunteers’ Week is about shining a light on the true value of volunteering, and we were very grateful to the Irish League of Credit Unions for their support to help achieve this in June.

“There is a real diverse mix of volunteers in Northern Ireland, each of whom contribute to society in a unique and important way. Whether they’re coaching football at the weekend, clearing weeds from their local park, or befriending older people in their community, every single volunteer is helping change lives for the better, including their own.

“Volunteering isn’t only a ‘nice thing to do,’ it is also an essential resource for many organisations and much-valued support for individuals in need. It also delivers proven physical and mental health benefits for the volunteer. We believe volunteers are the behind the scenes heroes who keep society going – and by spreading that message, we hope to see more people giving volunteering a go.”

Martin Busch of the Irish League of Credit Unions added: “We were delighted to support Volunteers’ Week in Northern Ireland this year, 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 everything we do. It strengthens communities, fosters connection and empowers people. It was fantastic to see volunteers across Northern Ireland receive their well-deserved recognition.”

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