Meaningful inclusion involves an action.
Volunteering offers the chance to get involved in sport, music, crafts, adventures and social events while helping others take part too. Along the way, friendships are formed, new experiences shared, and connections made.
Volunteering enables you to make a positive difference in someone else’s life. The organisations on this page would welcome a conversation with you about volunteering or becoming a member of their team. You can reach them through their website link.
Republic of Ireland
Volunteer Ireland volunteer.ie
The national volunteer development agency and support body for all local Volunteer Centres. Its directory lists every centre here: volunteer.ie/your-local-volunteer-centre
I-VOL ivol.ie
The national database of volunteering opportunities, run by Volunteer Ireland with the Volunteer Centres.
Special Olympics Ireland runs sport and competition for athletes with intellectual disabilities all over the island. You can coach a sport, help at events, do admin or cheer from the sidelines. Follow on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
St Michael’s House supports people with intellectual disabilities in Dublin. Its volunteers help with swimming, arts and crafts, and gardening, with some roles needing only about an hour a week. Follow on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube and Bluesky.
Horizons (Cope Foundation) supports people across Cork city and county from about 120 locations. Volunteers help with music, drama, art, independent living skills, community outings and gardening, for at least two hours a week. Follow on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Kare is a Newbridge-based charity supporting people with intellectual disabilities in Kildare and beyond. Volunteers can give their time, their skills or simply a listening ear. Follow on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Brothers of Charity Services Ireland supports about 2,700 people with disabilities across Roscommon, Galway, Clare, Limerick, Cork and Waterford. Recent roles in Waterford included social buddy, swimming buddy and befriending. Contact the Waterford volunteer coordinator at volunteercoordwat@bocsi.ie.
Camphill Communities of Ireland is a national network of inclusive communities for people with intellectual disabilities. Volunteers join in with home life, day programmes, arts and crafts, gardening, farming and social events. Email info@camphill.ie.
Down Syndrome Ireland is the national charity for people with Down syndrome and their families. Volunteers help with fundraising events, office work at the national office in Dublin and its charity shops. Follow on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok
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Northern Ireland
Volunteer Now volunteernow.co.uk
Volunteer development and support body for Volunteer centres in Northern Ireland.
Mencap Northern Ireland supports people with a learning disability across Northern Ireland. Roles include befriending, a volunteer visitor scheme, charity shops, one-off events, youth teams, campaigning and microvolunteering from home. Follow on Facebook.
Positive Futures is a charity supporting people with learning disabilities, acquired brain injury and autism. Volunteers help with social and leisure activities, or behind the scenes with admin, fundraising, IT and driving, from offices in Bangor, Belfast, Newry, Omagh and other towns. Follow on Facebook.
Special Olympics Ulster is the Ulster region of Special Olympics Ireland. You can help run weekly club sessions, such as the All Stars Club at Mary Peters Track in Belfast, or volunteer at events without a weekly commitment. No special skills are needed. Follow on Facebook and Instagram.
Camphill Clanabogan is a Camphill community near Omagh where people with and without disabilities live and work together, with a focus on creativity and sustainable living. Follow on Facebook.