Monaghan Volunteer Centre was one of the first to be established in Ireland. It was set up by County Monaghan Partnership with Peace II programme funding through Border Action.

Empirical evidence of the need for a structure to support volunteering , was first identified in a audit of community & voluntary groups throughout the county during the previous year. One of the key recommendations in the report on the audit was the establishment of a volunteer bureau.  Having secured funding to employ a development officer the bureau was launched in early 2006, as part of the Community Development team of the Partnership. On expiry of the Peace II funding in mid 2008 continuity monies were provided by the Department of Community Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs to keep the work going.

Having the support of an excellent steering committee and the Partnership’s Community Development team, enabled the Bureau get off to a flying start and become well established over its first two years of existence.

In August 2008 Audrey Wilson joined the Bureau as Development Officer and has already built substantially on the achievements of the establishment years.

Having initially focused its’ attention on supporting local community groups become more sustainable through the recruitment of new volunteers, the Bureau has begun to broaden its remit and has recently joined Volunteer Centres Ireland, with a view to being able to offer a wider range of options to people interested in volunteering  and organisations looking for volunteers.

Also as part of the Department’s cohesion programme, transfer of the Bureau contract and management will now pass to the new Monaghan Integrated Development company. As before it will be based in the main office of the Partnership/Integrated company at Monaghan Road, Castleblayney.

Whether you are a prospective volunteer or a group interested in having more volunteers, please feel free to contact Audrey Wilson on 042 9754551 or by email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it