25% surge in number of Irish volunteers

There was an almost 25% surge in the numbers of people volunteering last year, with about 11,000 people registering at centres across the country.

Volunteer Ireland, the national volunteer development agency, said the number of people volunteering in its 22 centres since the recession has grown dramatically. Following five successful National Day of Volunteering campaigns, this year the campaign is being expanded to seven days, running from May 14-20.

Research carried out by Volunteer Ireland, in advance of National Volunteering Week, found that being involved in volunteering made people happier.