Minister Roderic O’Gorman T.D. along with Trinity College Dublin led the online congratulations to 900 Localise Youth volunteers that have completed their Localise Youth Volunteering programme between September 2020 and May 2021. This special Graduation was streamed live on Thursday 20th of May. The video will be seen by schools and young people across the country.
“I’m delighted to have the opportunity today to congratulate everyone graduating from the Localise Youth Volunteering programme. I’m particularly heartened by how young people have been inspired with a sense of connection for the people they’ve engaged with over the past year as it’s been a really challenging year and it’s been difficult for people who’ve been disconnected from families or loved ones. After learning about the outstanding voluntary contributions of Localise volunteers in the various projects it’s clear that you’ve made a really positive impact on these communities” Roderic O’Gorman, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
Students that participated in the programme this year came together in very difficult and trying circumstances to make a real and lasting difference to their local communities. “I felt happy knowing, hopefully, that I made somebody’s day and brought a smile to their face and I think that feeling is irreplaceable. It feels rewarding to know you are heling people and it is great to know that you are connected to a wider community” – Luttrellstown Community College student
At Localise, we empower young people to take action by developing and enhancing the leadership qualities they already have. The value of this learning is reflected in what this Kingswood Community College student had to say. “Localise really helped me with my teamwork skills. The other thing it helped me with was my communication skills and working in a group in general with sharing ideas. Localise is valuable, it allows you to help people in need”
We also heard from a number of special guests, amongst them Dr. Catherine McCabe, Dean of Students in Trinity College. For the previous number of years the graduation ceremony for Localise has been held in teinity College, this year things were a little different, but it was important to impress upon Localsie youth volunteers that they deserve to be acknowledged by Trinity College because of their achievements. “Trinity we value being inquisitive, pioneering, responsible, inclusive, all those types of things. Localise has shown us that no matter what our background is or who we are, we can all make positive and meaningful contributions to our local community. Congratulations on graduating the programme, you have worked together to make a change in people’s lives, and that is so important”. – Dr McCabe
The Localise programmes are available free of charge to all schools and can be accessed online via virtual.localise.ie.
Localise is a seed programme that awakens the spirit of volunteerism and helps develop key skills necessary to respond to real needs within the local community. It is designed for all ages and learner types and easily fits with existing curriculum components or can be implemented as a stand-alone volunteering programme. Localise Youth Volunteering has been working in partnership with schools to implement student led volunteering programmes since 2007.