As the weekend approaches, we’re delighted to share another inspiring story with you. Today, we feature the fifth story in our National Volunteering Week series.

Here is Lauretta’s story:

My name is Lauretta, and I am from Nigeria. I moved to Ireland to pursue my Master’s degree in Addiction Studies, and with my background in Counselling and Human Development Studies, I have always been passionate about supporting people and building meaningful connections.

My volunteering journey in Ireland has taken me into different spaces, each teaching me something valuable in its own way. I first volunteered at Adamstown Community Centre during their summer camp, where I had the opportunity to support children, get involved in activities and be part of a warm community environment. It was a lovely experience because it reminded me how much impact encouragement, patience and presence can have, especially when working with young people.

I also volunteered with DePaul, where I supported service users in one of their homes. My role involved keeping them company, playing games and offering support in simple but meaningful ways. This experience was especially important to me because it showed me that volunteering is not always about doing something big. Sometimes, it is about being present, listening, sharing a moment and helping people feel seen and valued.

I also had the opportunity to volunteer with Text About It, an online crisis text support service. Although I was not able to continue for as long as I would have liked due to other commitments, the experience stayed with me. It reinforced the importance of emotional support, especially for people who may be going through difficult moments and need someone to listen without judgement.

Across these different roles, volunteering has helped me grow both personally and professionally. It has strengthened my empathy, communication skills, confidence and understanding of people from different walks of life. More than anything, it has reminded me that everyone needs connection, kindness, community and support in one form or another.

For me, volunteering is more than giving time; it is about community, compassion and purpose. It has helped me feel more connected to Ireland and to the people around me. I would encourage anyone thinking about volunteering to take the first step. You may start by wanting to give something to others, but in the process, you also gain something meaningful yourself.

Happy National Volunteering Week, everyone!