Westmeath Foróige volunteers attend national conference

Foróige volunteers from Westmeath joined colleagues from across the country recently at the annual Volunteer Conference in Salthill, Galway. This year’s event welcomed over 220 dedicated volunteers, celebrating their essential role in youth development across the nation.

This year’s conference featured psychologist Shane Martin as the keynote speaker, who addressed the resilience in volunteer work. “Empowering volunteers not only enhances their well-being but also enriches the lives of the young people they interact with,” Martin noted. “The impact of dedicated volunteers on young people is immeasurable.”

The event included a variety of workshops and group discussions designed to foster collaboration and idea-sharing among volunteers. Participants connected with speakers and each other, exploring new ways to enhance their impactful work within their communities and sharing stories of how volunteering has changed their lives.

Odhrán O'Mahony, Chairperson of Foróige, opened the conference with a message of gratitude and inspiration: “Each of you plays a crucial role in shaping young people’s lives. Your dedication and passion are what make Foróige a pillar of strength in communities throughout Ireland.”

Reflecting on the future, O'Mahony added, “Foróige aims to ensure that every young person who wishes to engage in youth work has the opportunity to do so. Our vision is to have flourishing Foróige clubs and projects in every county, attracting and retaining passionate volunteers to continue our mission.”

Foróige, now in its 72nd year of service, boasts over 4,500 volunteers across 450 clubs and 180 projects and programmes. Initiatives such as Leadership for Life, Be Healthy Be Happy, Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), and Big Brother Big Sister engage over 50,000 young people each year, empowering them to take responsibility for their futures.