By Martin McBride
"My first experience of volunteering was on the Supervisory Committee of my local Credit Union. This gave me my first insight into how volunteering contributes to personal development and happiness while getting things done for people in local communities. This primarily helps disadvantaged people such as youth, elderly people, people with disabilities, unemployed people etc. It gave me an understanding of how every person in a community can make a tangible contribution to the development of the community. The Credit Union Board had Directors from all sectors in the community, farmers, tradesmen, teachers, retired people, males and females. Their knowledge of local needs manifested itself in the Credit Union giving low interest loans to local people for essential needs, e.g. education.
My next volunteering experience was during my recuperation from surgery from epilepsy in Beaumont Hospital. People were insecure about my epilepsy and their delusions affected my self confidence. Donegal County Council gave me early retirement on medical grounds from my job as Clerical Officer at this time. Then while on a Community Employment Scheme at the ICTU Resource Centre, Letterkenny, I was nominated onto the Board of North Donegal Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS). This is a service to help people deal effectively with debt problems. This boosted my self confidence and contributed to my recovery to good health (as has all my volunteering). I needed such a boost and stimulation in the aftermath of my surgery and early retirement. I enjoyed attending management meetings and the friendship and camaraderie of directors and staff. The challenge and sense of accomplishment in helping people in need (with debit problems) gave me motivation, enthusiasm and zeal for life again (as all my volunteering does). The focus was put on my opinions and diverted away from my epilepsy – even when I might have peti seizures (that did not affect my capability to serve on the Board). Such respect for my intelligence, dignity and integrity has been my experience in all my volunteering.
I am pleased that my volunteering helps to counter social ill’s such as bullying, drug abuse, early school leaving, discrimination etc. e.g. in the promotion of projects under the Local Development Social Inclusion Programme etc.
The success of volunteering cannot be measured in monetary terms. Rather, it is seen in the excitement of youths going on EU exchange trips, transport and independent living projects for people with disabilites, opening of Day Centres for elderly people, the success of anti-bullying campaigns, the promotion of language courses for non nationals and many other initiatives which all combat disadvantage in local communities.
Volunteering gives personal satisfaction, enjoyment, fulfilment and
a chance to make new friends grateful to those willing to devote spare
time to help effect the distribution of resources, status and life changes
among social groups and categories of people within the community. This
is in contrast to time wasted by people in tedious, unproductive activities,
e.g. watching television etc.
There are lots of opportunities in local communities to volunteer, to
help local groups to give opportunities to people. Everyone should
be ale to find something rewarding (of interest) to volunteer for, e.g.
Youth Club, Community Centre, Day Centre, etc.
Lack of adequate transport has been a problem for me in volunteering. I live in a rural area and don’t have a Driver’s Licence at present due to my epilepsy. I am thankful to other volunteers for their kindness in giving me lifts. However, I often have to wait for a lift manifesting itself, in getting to my destination late, wet, cold and tired.
Despite this however, I have had happy years volunteering and would miss it very much. I recommend volunteering to people of all ages. I volunteer/have volunteered on the following Boards/Groups:-
- Swilly Mulroy Credit Union Supervisory Committee.
- Donegal Network People with Disabilities Ireland (PWDI Ltd).
- Donegal Local Development Company (DLDC) Partnership.
- DLDC Services to the Unemployment Sub-Panel.
- DLDC Disability Working Group.
- DLDC Smallholders Working Group (Vice Chairperson).
- DLDC Nick Love Awards Advisory Group.
- DLDC/FAS Framework Group.
- Donegal Citizens Information Service (DCIS) (Vice Chairperson).
- DCIS Staffing and Disability Sub Committees.
- DESSA, Workway.
- DESSA/DLDC/PWDI Ltd - Inclusive Play Seminar, 2006 (Donegal)
- North Donegal Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS).
- Fanad United Football Club.
- Fanad Care of the Aged Committee and two Sub-Committees
Martin McBride
