Rural Volunteerism Impacting Development and Sustainability Thursday 14 th June 2018 Dr Maura Farrell NUI Galway
Overview Rural Context Volunteerism Literature Project Methodology Findings: Two Fold Project-Based Learning VI Data-set Project Conclusions Summary Policy Recommendations
Rural Context Rural Change Rural Restructuring Fundamental change in rural society. Driven by Technologies Innovation Social Modernisation and Globalisation. Result: Population Demographic: Aging/Youth Agricultural Employment Migration/Emigration Gender Services and facilities
Tackling Change in Rural Ireland Supporting 135,000 New Jobs by 2020 Increasing Overseas Visitors by 12% Investing 50+ Million in Sports, Recreation and Cultural Facilities Realising Our Rural Potential: Action Plan for Rural Development Protecting Vital Local Services Ensuring all Homes and Businesses are Connected to Broadband Double Investment in Flood Relief Works by 2021 Revitalising 600+ Towns and Villages Key Objectives Support 4,00 New Community Projects
Action Plan Pillar 1: Supporting Sustainable Communities Pillar 2: Supporting Enterprise and Employment Pillar 3: Maximising our Rural Tourism and Recreation Potential Pillar 4: Fostering Culture and Creativity in Rural Communities Pillar 5: Improving Rural Infrastructure and Connectivity 67 84 51 29 45 Actions Actions Actions Actions Actions Responsible Responsible Responsible Responsible Responsible
Rural Volunteerism Volunteerism both formal and informal pervades the whole of the rural sector (Rogers, 1987). Volunteerism is becoming increasingly important in social-service provision as national governments devolve responsibility for particular programs to lower levels of government and/or the voluntary and private sectors (Joseph et al. 2012: 381). Growing the capacity of local people, agencies and professionals that support communities and build social networks founded on high levels of volunteering and skilled support is one of the prerequisites for vibrant rural communities (Carnegie Trust UK, 2007).
Rural Volunteerism Rural Volunteerism unpaid formal or informal activities Informal volunteerism can be helping out a neighbour or caregiving for someone in a local community, while formal (also unpaid) means that the volunteer is registered with a club, society or organisation. Key Aims: Gain an understanding of the significance of volunteerism in rural society Develop an understanding of why rural people become involved in volunteerism and what they gain from their involvement Evaluate the impact of rural volunteerism on your local area and society.
Collaborative Research Study Two-fold Part A: Project Based Learning NUI Galway Final Year Rural Geography students - the end of April 2018 1. Desk-Based Study 2. Surveys (607 Respondents) 3. Interviews (60 rural participants) 15 Counties 4. Posters January to Part B: NUI Galway research enhanced Volunteer Ireland data and analysed by project partners (VI, Pat Kennedy, Dr Maura Farrell and Paul Collins (VI)). VI Data collected via the national volunteering database (I-VOL) - contains information from over 16,000 Volunteer
VI Data 70% Female 30% Male Findings
Who is Volunteering in Rural Areas
Recruitment Method
Volunteer Organisations and Activities Types of Volunteer Organisations Kind of Volunteer Activities
Impact of Rural volunteerism
In my opinion, the single biggest impact of volunteers is promoting excellent community spirit. For example, if volunteer organisations did not provide a basis for people to socially interact and to get to know each other, the bonds or ties within the community would be a lot weaker. So, yeah, volunteering allows for connections and friendships to be built which would allow for good community spirit.
Issues and Concerns Not enough Volunteers in rural areas Additional Funding required to enhance voluntary activities Excessive red tape for volunteers involved More training and Support for Rural Volunteers
3 words: Impact of Rural Volunteer Work
Conclusions Voluntary activity - Formal and informal with informal activity being more prevalent. Rural Volunteers play multiple and diverse roles. Voluntary activity through rural clubs, particularly sport, was most popular with caring services also proving very popular. Volunteering carried out in rural development activities, such as Tidy Towns, culture and the arts was also significant in rural settings. The amount of time rural volunteers give freely to their communities was significant with over 62% of survey respondents giving time weekly to activities. In all cases the majority of respondents felt that volunteerism positively impacted on the lives, activities and social capital of rural inhabitants. Issues of concern for volunteers and the continuation of voluntary activity in rural areas include a lack of volunteers, inadequate support from local and state government and a need for continued support and training.
Summary Considerable challenges in rural Ireland yet, volunteer work takes place in many if not all rural areas; Type and extent of volunteer work taking place in rural communities is extensive; Considerable impact on rural society, economy, culture; Creates considerable social capital in rural communities; Vibrant and sustainable rural communities can be created and enhanced by the work carried out by rural volunteers.
Where To From Here. Policy Recommendations: 1. Rural communities need a strong infrastructure built around volunteer activities to ensure its continuity. 2. Volunteer activities must be properly resources and facilitated it is enough for people to give freely of their time. 3. Training and support is essential for volunteers numbers to increase. 4. Support volunteer development programmes in both primary and post primary schools in rural areas to build social capital at a young age. 5. Increase rural development funding to prevent volunteers having to engage in services provision roles in rural areas.
Acknowledgments Volunteer Ireland Paul Collins, Nina Arwitz, Amy Woods Volunteer Galway Donnacha Foley etownz Project Pat Kennedy All rural volunteer who took part in the research NUI Galway 3 rd Year Students TI369 Geographical Perspectives on Rural Change