Strengthening Volunteers at the Heart of Clare Communities
Clare’s community groups are powered by volunteers who give their time, skills and energy to make local life better. Yet many committees and organisations are facing the same challenges: recruiting new volunteers, keeping people engaged, and ensuring that those who give so much are properly supported.
To respond to these needs, Clare Local Development Company (CLDC) is hosting a practical and engaging Volunteer Management Workshop as part of the Connecting Clare Communities training and mentoring programme – an initiative designed to help local groups learn, connect and grow.
A practical workshop for real‑world challenges
This workshop is aimed at anyone involved in managing or coordinating volunteers, whether you are part of a residents’ association, sports club, charity, environmental group, social enterprise or informal community initiative.
The session will focus on three core aspects of effective volunteer management:
- Recruitment – how to attract new volunteers in a realistic and sustainable way.
- Retention – keeping people involved by matching roles to interests and strengths.
- Volunteer well‑being – ensuring volunteers feel valued, supported and appreciated so they can continue contributing over the long term.
Participants will be encouraged to bring their own experiences and questions, so the workshop can respond directly to the realities facing groups across County Clare.
Part of the Connecting Clare Communities programme
The workshop sits within the broader Connecting Clare Communities programme, a free training and mentoring initiative delivered by CLDC in association with Levie Consulting and funded through the LEADER Programme.
Connecting Clare Communities was developed in response to what local groups told us they needed most: practical learning opportunities, tailored mentoring, and spaces to build relationships with other organisations facing similar challenges.
Through a mix of workshops, clinics and peer‑learning sessions, the programme supports community groups to strengthen governance, improve communications, build partnerships and plan for the future.
Learning from local experience
The Volunteer Management Workshop will be led by Cormac McCarthy, former Chairperson of Ennis Tidy Towns and current Chairperson of the Clare Memories Project.
Cormac brings extensive hands‑on experience in volunteer engagement, having worked with diverse teams over many years. He is a strong advocate for clear communication, realistic expectations and best practice in how we involve and support volunteers. During the session, he will share practical examples from his work in Clare, along with tips and tools that groups can adapt to their own context.
Event details and registration
- Date: Saturday 25 April
- Time: 10.00 am – 2.00 pm
- Venue: Clare Education Centre, Ennis
The workshop is free to attend, but places are limited and registration is essential.
👉 Register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/volunteer-management-workshop-for-connecting-clare-communities-tickets-1987315355726