Statement: South Dublin Volunteer Centre Departs from X/Twitter

After 15 years of engaging with our community on X/Twitter, South Dublin Volunteer Centre has made the difficult decision to close our account on the platform. As the longest-established volunteer centre in Ireland, we have a deep-rooted commitment to promoting and supporting volunteering for everyone, regardless of background. Over 65% of those seeking volunteering roles with us come from migrant and non-Irish communities, reflecting the diversity and inclusivity we cherish.

However, recent developments on X/Twitter have made it clear that the platform no longer aligns with our core values of equality, inclusivity, respect, integrity, collaboration, and valuing volunteering. Over the past 12 months, we have observed an alarming increase in hate speech, abusive commentary, and the spread of misinformation, particularly targeting vulnerable groups, including refugees and asylum seekers. Our organisation and staff have not been immune to this abuse, facing unwarranted hostility for our efforts to support those in need.

In light of these concerns, we believe that X/Twitter is no longer a safe or healthy environment for us to engage with our stakeholders. We will continue our mission to support volunteering for all in South Dublin County through our other social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Threads.

We invite our community to join us on these platforms as we continue our work to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all volunteers.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support.