International Women's Day 2025
International Women's Day 2025
International Women’s Day (IWD), celebrated annually on March 8, honuors the achievements of women across all aspects of life - social, economic, cultural, and political - while also advocating for gender equality.
What are the aims of IWD?
IWD can mean different things to various groups, yet the overarching aims of IWD are to:
- Celebrate women’s achievements through recognising and appreciating the contributions of women in various fields, highlighting their influence and successes throughout history and in the present day.
- Raise awareness of gender inequality through shining a light on persistent issues like the gender pay gap, lack of representation in leadership roles, gender-based violence, and unequal access to education and opportunities.
- Mobilise action for equality through encouraging individuals, communities, and organisations to take steps toward creating a more inclusive and equitable world for women.
- Donate and fundraise for women-focused charities, and elevate the visibility of their work.
- Foster solidarity among people of all genders in support of women’s rights and gender parity worldwide.
How the Carlow Volunteer Centre Recognised the Day
Here at the Carlow Volunteer Centre we decided the best way to recognise International Women's Day was to celebrate a great local woman, Sister Mary. She was instrumental in the development of An Gairdin Beo, the wonderful community resource in the heart of Carlow Town. She has been a force for action and improvement in Carlow, helping foster a strong sense of community and volunteering that we all continue to benefit from, and will long into the future.
Volunteer Centre Quality Award
Volunteer Centre Quality Award
We are very pleased to announce that Carlow Volunteer Centre has received the Volunteer Centre Quality Award. Achievement of this award involved a rigorous review process to ensure that the standards of quality service delivery are sustainable and continuously upheld, and highlights the importance our staff place on providing the best possible assistance to our volunteers and organisations.
The Volunteer Centre Quality Award marks the successful achievement of the quality standards included in the Quality Standards Framework developed by Volunteer Ireland and the Volunteer Centre Managers’ Network (VCMN). The framework aims to ensure excellence and consistency across the volunteering infrastructure.
The framework covers the entire work of a Volunteer Centre including governance standards, management and administration as well as the core day-to-day work of supporting volunteers to get involved in their communities and supporting local organisations to develop quality volunteer opportunities and implement best practice in volunteer management.
Eco-friendly Skincare Course
Eco-Friendly Skincare Course
Our wonderful tutors and volunteers showed how to create eco-friendly creams, lip balms and massage oils, while those in attendance also shared their own beauty tips and tricks, including some wonderful Henna demonstrations.
Africa Day
Africa Day in Carlow
Africa Day celebrates the richness of African cultures and the contribution of people of African descent to Irish life. It was a morning of fun with music, food, entertainment, drumming, and lots more. Congratulations to all involved and special thanks to all the volunteers who helped out. It was a great party!
Star Weaving
Star Weaving for One Million Stars Ireland
Amber Women’s Refuge’s One Million Stars Ireland project is an inclusive community arts project connecting communities across Ireland in solidarity against domestic abuse and all forms of violence. Each eight-point star woven represents light, hope and solidarity against violence, promoting our project’s eight points of healthy love within relationships. Stars are curated into our travelling ‘LOVE’ installation, and other public star installations across the country, spreading love and hope for a future free from violence and abuse for all in our community.
Here at Carlow Volunteer Centre over 50 volunteers took part in this project and we are proud to say that we have created 2,338 stars. Well done to everyone and thank you for giving up your time to get involved.
Tree Planting in An Gairdin Beo
Tree Planting in An Gairdin Beo
Unum Volunteers Return to Hacketstown
Unum Volunteers Return to Hacketstown
A group of seven volunteers from Unum went to St. John's Caring Centre in Hacketstown on Friday, February 25th to carry out some painting work in both the kitchen and the entrance hall, and were warmly welcomed by the staff.
"When we arrived we were met with open arms, Sheila Whelan (Manager) and her team who are absolutely amazing, were so happy and grateful to see us. Their generosity was also incredible, and they cooked for us all day despite our futile resistance, beautiful food too. To be honest I think we got more out of it than they did with full bellies all around. As we worked through the day we chatted to their team and it was clear to see that what they do makes a big difference, the passion they showed through their stories of the people that visit each week and of others who had used the service in times gone by but have now sadly passed. They love what they do, and it’s easy to see why.
For the Unum team we were delighted to be able to contribute in a small way and for a short time be part of what they do." - Terence Haughney, Unum.
Unum Volunteers "Feel 10Feet Tall"
It was a busy couple of months in the world of Corporate Volunteering for Unum employees. In October and November, several members of Unum's staff undertook volunteering projects in the county of Carlow. Carlow Volunteer Centre were delighted to be to connect them with local organisations. The Unum volunteers undertook projects in Carlow Educate Together National School, in Bethany House and in St. John's Caring Centre in Hacketstown. Staff here were delighted to see the volunteers arrive and were very appreciative that Unum generously supplied all paints and materials.
Feedback from both the organisations and the volunteers themselves was extremely positive. Lynn Ellingworth, who volunteered in St. John's Caring Centre, enthused how brilliant the experience was, and how doing something to help the community made them all feel "10feet tall".