THE CONCEPT of volunteering needs to be “rebranded” in order to fully tap the potential for young people to engage in it for benefit, according to a study by the National Youth Council of Ireland.
Some 90 young people throughout the country took part in a series of focus groups and interviews used to compile the Lending a Hand: Young People and Volunteering in Ireland report, published yesterday.
Among its findings were that many young people involved in volunteer activities do not recognise the term “volunteering” or see themselves as volunteers.
It found the main reasons why young people decided to volunteer was that they were personally “asked to”, or that they had an affinity with the organisation or cause.
The report said young people felt there had been a shift in attitudes as a result of the recession from “what you have in society to what you can give to society”.
“This made it more likely that young people would volunteer.”
It also said Transition Year in school was important in allowing young people time and space to consider and experience volunteering.
The youth council report said in order to retain young volunteers, organisations needed to be flexible and recognise their limited time. They also needed to treat young volunteers with respect and not just assign menial tasks.
Separately, two Kildare teenagers were presented with the Ireland Involved Awards for volunteer of the year by President Michael D Higgins last night.
Conor Malone (17) and Conor Kavanagh (18) were recognised for their work with the Jumping Jellybeans Club, which they helped to establish with Milltown Foróige in Kildare.
The club provides an outlet for teenagers with special needs to meet friends and socialise.
Each special participant has another local teenager monitoring them, introducing them to others and helping them to get involved in club activities such as drama and basketball.
Mr Higgins said volunteering and the sense of community solidarity that prompts it was needed and was more relevant than ever before. “At a time when it can be difficult for us to see beyond our current economic trials, these wonderfully generous people provide hope for the future and demonstrate that we are each capable of making a positive difference,” he said.