Today, we’re delighted to share the second inspiring volunteer story of National Volunteering Week. See how one woman’s need to do something changed her whole life.

Here is Bernadette’s story:

“The COVID era never really left me once we got the all-clear to go out and socialise again. One evening I found my joints had stiffened and somehow I had difficulty hoisting myself off my throne. I needed to do something,….. something!

I looked up classes and found loads … but what I did find was the I-vol website. I scrolled and scrolled and was mesmerised by how many options were available. From all kinds of categories. I settled on one, the museum… the Little Museum of Dublin.

The day I walked through the door of the volunteer centre was stage one of the big change. The day I walked through the door of the museum was part two.

The museum is a house of story. The story of Dublin with wonderful artefacts and people to tell them. People from near and far come to visit, and it’s so interesting listening to their stories. Visitors are warmly encouraged to meet and chat with each other, and that interaction is what I think they will remember.

I had now entered the world of the museum that was orderly, relaxed, pleasant, sociable and busy. It was also not without effort. I found the first days a learning curve. Getting to know the people in the organisation, how the building is managed, the getting there and going from, making acquaintance with the bus routes and the Luas. Being in town early. Seeing people (once again) go about their work, I began to feel alive again.

What prompted me to volunteer, you may well ask! I could give you great answers, like…I want to contribute to society. I want to be a help to my fellow man. My skills are such that an enormous impact would be made on the planet.

Ahem! All the above, of course!! But what really galvanised me into doing it was….I needed to do something for myself! And that something would hopefully benefit others.

I moved the dial when I walked through the door and asked….

Volunteering is a two-way street. Try it!”