International Volunteer Day (IVD) was designated by the United Nations in 1985 as an international observance day to celebrate the power and potential of volunteering and takes place each year on December 5th.

The act of volunteering is found in all cultures, languages, and religions.  Each year, hundreds of millions of people volunteer their time and skills to help make the world a better place.  When they volunteer, they help to improve the lives of others.  And when they volunteer, they also gain a greater sense of belonging to their communities.

Here in Northern Ireland and with the on-going challenges of Covid-19, we have seen so many people step up to help each other and to volunteer in their own communities, and Volunteer Now are delighted that we have also been able to welcome two European Solidarity Corps volunteers who are helping us out with a variety of projects and activities.  The girls joined us in September and let’s hear of their experiences to date…….

Hi, I am Barbara and I’m from Portugal.  I have been volunteering with Volunteer Now since the end of September this year as a European Solidarity Corps volunteer, and I’ve been involved in many different little projects connected to communication and promoting volunteering here in Northern Ireland.  Even though times are in a continuous change, we have been proving that volunteering is a social action that doesn’t stop and adapts within the local community.  Every week can be slightly different as tasks may differ, which brings me many challenges to pursue and reminds me how valuable it is to give our time, skills and resources to those around us who really need it.  It’s been amazing to see the history and the people of Northern Ireland, that have welcomed us with a smile

My name is Eva and I come from Latvia.  I have been volunteering with Volunteer Now since the end of September this year as a European Solidarity Corps volunteer, doing a variety of different projects communicating and promoting the message of volunteering here in Northern Ireland.  So far I have been loving it and there has been so many things to  help out with.  My favourite part has been having Zoom meetings where I could “meet” the local youth who are passionate about their social action projects or Zoom events for community projects like Health Days for different groups of people.  I am glad to do something useful, even if it is just me working from home at my computer and getting the message out there in the big wide world of Internet how important it is to give our time, skills and resources to those around us who really need it.  Plus, it may sound shocking but I really enjoy the weather here.  I think it’s perfect.  I think the locals are very polite and friendly.  The only thing I miss right now about home is the snow.