The heart of Wexford: How one centre is powering over 4,500 volunteers across the county

The Wexford Volunteer Centre operates as a countywide service, supporting volunteering and community organisations in every corner of Wexford…

We caught up with Eva Law, who is the Centre Manager at the Wexford Volunteer Centre, and she discussed the reasons why the opened, their expansion, and some of the challenges – such as funding – that they continue to deal with.

Their main office is located in the heart of Wexford Town, serving as a hub for people who want to give back to their local communities.

“Wexford Volunteer Centre is a countywide service, with our office based right in the heart of Wexford Town. We proudly support volunteering and community organisations all across County Wexford – from Gorey to New Ross, Enniscorthy to Rosslare, and Bunclody.”

The centre first opened its doors during a difficult time, launching in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges, the experience highlighted the community’s remarkable strength and togetherness.

“Wexford Volunteer Centre officially opened in 2021, right in the middle of a COVID-19 lockdown! It wasn’t the easiest start, but it proved how strong the community spirit is here in Wexford. We’re part of Ireland’s national network of Volunteer Centres, funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development,” Eva told Wexford Weekly.

At its core, the Wexford Volunteer Centre was established to link willing volunteers with organisations that need their support. The team provides a wide range of free services and spearheads several community projects that promote volunteering across the county.

“The Wexford Volunteer Centre was set up to connect people who want to volunteer with organisations that need their help. Our goal is to promote volunteering as a powerful way to build stronger, more connected communities across County Wexford. We provide free supports to both volunteers and community groups – including volunteer matching, Garda vetting, training, promotional help, and guidance on good volunteer management.”

“We’re also behind a number of community initiatives like the One Million Stars Project, the Volunteer Rewards Card, and the upcoming County Wexford Volunteer Awards. Beyond that, we respond to emerging community needs – from helping groups rebuild after COVID-19 to coordinating over 250 volunteers at Rosslare Europort in 2022 to assist Ukrainians fleeing the war. We also support large-scale events, partner with businesses to grow corporate social responsibility (CSR) volunteering, and contribute to national research and policy work to strengthen inclusion and integration through volunteering. In short, if it involves volunteering in County Wexford, we’re here to help, support, and celebrate everyone involved,” centre manager, Eva, said.

Running a community-driven organisation doesn’t come without its difficulties. The team admits that maintaining funding and keeping up with the growing demand for volunteer support are among their biggest challenges.

“Like most community organisations, we’ve had our fair share of challenges, from securing ongoing funding to keeping up with the growing demand for volunteer support, especially since COVID-19. All the training, projects, and initiatives we run are free for volunteers and community groups, so we’re constantly applying for grants and funding to make them happen. It’s competitive, but worth it to keep these opportunities accessible to everyone. Even with those challenges, the support from the people of Wexford has been amazing – the community spirit here always shines through,” she said.

The Wexford Volunteer Centre receives its funding from both national and local sources, ensuring it can continue to support volunteers and organisations across the county.

“We are funded through the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD), with local support from Wexford County Council and other funders. Volunteer Centres were established nationally to ensure every county had a dedicated hub for volunteering. Wexford was one of the final counties to launch, following strong local demand and advocacy from the community. Since then, we’ve built on that foundation to deliver high-quality, inclusive volunteer supports countywide.”

Since its launch, the organisation has expanded significantly, growing its team and network of volunteers. Thousands of people across Wexford are now connected through their work.

“We currently have a team of five staff based in Wexford Town and support over 4,500 registered volunteers right across the county. We work with more than 400 community groups and charities, helping them find the right people to power their work. Since 2022 alone, volunteers connected through the Wexford Volunteer Centre have logged over 200,000 hours of giving back to their communities, an incredible reflection of Wexford’s spirit of kindness and generosity.”

When it comes to recruiting volunteers, some areas always see a strong response, while others can be more challenging. The team continues to adapt and find creative ways to match volunteers with suitable roles.

“We’re lucky to have huge community spirit in Wexford! We always see great interest in festivals, events, environmental projects, and animal welfare. The more challenging areas tend to be roles that require long-term or specialist commitments, like governance/board roles, mentoring, or driving-based volunteering, but we’re working hard to match people’s skills and schedules with roles that suit them,” Eva told Wexford Weekly.

From its beginnings during lockdown to becoming a vital community hub, Wexford Volunteer Centre continues to grow, connecting people, empowering volunteers, and celebrating the generosity that defines County Wexford.