Spotlight on County Councils Supporting their Communities

Wednesday, November 24th, 2021

Dublin City Council Volunteers

Local County Councils are at the heart of every community. We speak to some of the participating County Councils on recognising the value of volunteering, its importance to communities and how they support volunteering both externally and internally through our Education Programmes.

Currently, 8 County Councils nationwide are partnered with local schools through our BITCI Education Programmes.

Carlow County Council take part in our World of Work programme and are partnered with Tyndall College since 2011. We asked Eamonn Brophy, Corporate Services/Human Resources, ‘what drives employees from the Carlow County Council to volunteer and what value do they get from it?’ “All our staff are committed to serving the public in their daily roles and so when the opportunity to partner with Tyndall College was proposed, they relished the opportunity. The staff particularly enjoy the interaction with the students and the opportunity to help young persons on their journey through school and on to the world of college or work.”

Both Edel Kenny, Sligo County Council and Geraldine O’ Brien, Dublin City Council also eluded to the benefits of participation for both the volunteers, children and students involved. Edel Kenny (SCC) felt participating in the WoW programme with Mercy College, Co. Sligo helped their employees to have a positive experience during this difficult pandemic.

“It was an ideal opportunity to give back to the local community especially during the difficult times presented by COVID 19. The Cranmore Regeneration Office were the project lead on behalf of SCC. The opportunity to work with a secondary school within the Regeneration Area had positive impact on the team and was an ideal opportunity to speak about the various aspects of work undertaken by SCC.”

While Geraldine O‘Brien (DCC) believed  “It allows people to show a generosity of spirit towards children that need help. It makes them aware of how lucky they are to be literate/educated. It also makes them aware of their social responsibility, and that of the Dublin City Council, to others in their catchment area.”

Kerry County Council take part in our World of Work programme and are partnered with Causeway Community School since 2013. We asked John O’ Sullivan, Human Resource & Organisational Development, ‘What would you say to other County Councils, to encourage them to participate in corporate volunteering, through our BITCI education programmes?’

“This programme provides us with an opportunity to inform and enlighten young people as to the services provided by our organisation. It also allows our employees to connect with younger people and make a positive contribution to their ongoing development and preparedness for life after second level education. During recent difficult times, it was even more important for our organisation to maintain and strengthen the positive relationships which we have built with the school and Business in the Community Ireland.”

While identifying local concerns and solving community issues are central to what County Councils do, their support to society through volunteering also brings positive changes to the communities they serve.

Article written by Aisling O’Brien, BITCI

For more information on how to get involved with our programmes, click here.