To mark National Volunteering Week 2022, we are celebrating our team of inspirational  volunteers

This National Volunteering Week (16 to 22 May 2022) the Irish Heart Foundation is  celebrating our wonderful team of volunteers who are at the heart of everything we do.

The Irish Heart Foundation currently has 119 volunteers many of whom have worked with the charity for a number of years.

As a community of people who fight to protect the cardiovascular health of everyone in Ireland our volunteers are central to the Irish Heart Foundation community.

Our team of volunteers provide a range of invaluable services for people living with heart disease or recovering from stroke, from driving members to support group meetings to working with our telephone befriending service.

Our volunteers work as peer-to-peer supporters meaning that they themselves have experienced a heart attack or stroke in the past and that valuable shared experience is hugely beneficial to members of our support groups at what can be the most difficult time in their lives.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic when we were forced to move all in person support groups online, our army of volunteers were instrumental in supporting members forced to stay at home. They did this by making regular phone calls to check in on them and delivering and collecting groceries or medications.

Anne Battle, who works with the Irish Heart Foundation as a Community Group Volunteer said, “I find ringing members weekly for a social chat so enjoyable I really look forward to it, it’s one small way to give back but it is hugely rewarding.”

Martina Greene, National Volunteer Development Coordinator with the Irish Heart Foundation said  she has been seen a huge increase in the numbers of people offering to volunteer with the charity.

“This is so heart-warming and lovely to know they want to be part of our volunteer community. We have developed some new roles to align with the hybrid model of support services we now offer to our members, and this has provided the opportunity to recruit volunteers in a range of new roles such as that of an e-volunteer who helps moderate our exercise zoom session, information talks, social chats, and our private Facebook groups.”

“All our volunteers do an induction and get full training to help them feel confident and supported in their volunteering role. You can volunteer from the comfort of your home but still make a big impact on the lives of our members,” Martina said.

“Volunteers are at the grass roots of any charity, and we simply could not deliver our national supports without their time and support. I would like to take this opportunity in National Volunteering Week to say we appreciate and value the significant contribution that all our volunteers make to help support our members and our work. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” she added.

If you would like information on volunteering with us or on any of the volunteering opportunities, please email ihfvolunteer@irishheart.ie