The volunteering community shapes the lives of those outside of the public eye
Around 14% of people in Ireland volunteer, showing how important community support is in helping with social issues. In 2022 alone, volunteers contributed an estimated €1 billion worth of their time to Irish charities. In Limerick, organizations like Team Limerick Clean-Up (TLC) and Novas offer valuable opportunities for people to get involved. Both rely on volunteers to make a meaningful impact, supporting those in need and improving the local environment.
In this article:
- The Story Behind Novas – How a tragic past shaped its mission and approach.
- Novas and the Fight Against Homelessness – How volunteers support those in need.
- The Vital Role of Novas Volunteers – The impact of outreach programs and community support.
- Team Limerick Clean-Up’s Community Impact – How TLC is making Limerick a cleaner, more connected city.
NOVAS
One area where volunteers are especially vital is in tackling homelessness. The crisis continues to grow, with recent figures from the Department of Housing revealing that 15,199 people, including 4,658 children and 2,168 families, are currently in emergency accommodation. As the need for support rises, organizations like Novas play a critical role in providing essential services. Since its establishment in 2002, Novas has been at the forefront of supporting Limerick’s most vulnerable, offering housing, health services, and recovery pathways for individuals experiencing homelessness, addiction, and social marginalization.
Una Burns, Head of Advancing Communications at Novas, explains the organization’s mission: “Our vision is that everyone has their own sustainable home, and our mission is to promote social inclusion through housing, health, and recovery and provide lasting solutions to homelessness.”
The origin story of NOVAS
Novas was founded in response to a series of tragic street deaths due to hypothermia among homeless individuals in Limerick. Burns elaborates: “These homeless people were street drinkers at the time and they couldn’t access existing homeless accommodation. They were excluded because of their addiction.”
To address this gap, local authorities looked to the UK to find a service that would support people in addiction and connected with Joe McGarry, a former homeless man who had spent 30 years on the streets of London. “Joe McGarry is very important to us still in Novas,” Burns says. “He was from the north of Ireland, emigrated as a young man to London, and soon became entrenched in addiction. He was in comas on the streets for 30 years until he accessed harm reduction services.”
McGarry’s lived experience shaped Novas’ approach, which prioritizes harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and low-threshold services. “Joe thought of so many good values around non-judgment, dignity, and respect, recognizing the strengths of our clients and empowering them to live independent lives. We still adhere to those values today,” Burns affirms.
The work of NOVAS volunteers
Although Novas operates with over 300 professional staff members across Ireland, its impact in Limerick is bolstered by a dedicated team of 50 volunteers. These volunteers play a crucial role in the street outreach program, which runs every night of the year.
“Our volunteer team provides a humanitarian response to the people who are extremely marginalized in the city,” Burns explains. “They provide a warm meal, a cup of coffee or tea, hot chocolate, soup, sandwiches, and other essentials. In winter, it’s socks, gloves, and jackets; in summer, it’s extra water and sun cream. They really respond to the needs of the people on the ground.”
Street outreach serves individuals in different circumstances. “many people are actively homeless and have specific vulnerabilities,” Burns notes. “Others are socially isolated and come along for a cup of coffee. For some, it might be their only conversation that day, and that social interaction makes a real difference.”
Volunteers also support the FoodCloud program, redistributing surplus food from supermarkets to those in need. “Our FoodCloud volunteers go every week to Tesco in Coonagh to collect food, and we are so grateful for that,” says Burns.
NOVAS recognition in Ireland
The impact of Novas’ volunteers was formally recognized when they won the Outstanding Large Group award at the Irish Volunteer Awards. Burns speaks with pride about the achievement: “We weren’t surprised at the victory. We know how amazing they are, how dedicated they are, and how they go above and beyond every night of the year. They bring in treats from home, bake for those in need, and share their stories with family and friends who then support our work.”
The community impact
While the recognition is meaningful, the ongoing support from the Limerick community is even more critical. “Our street outreach service is not funded by the state; it relies entirely on fundraising and donations,” Burns points out.
“We simply would not be able to run the service without public support.”
Novas continues to face challenges, including the increasing demand for services, limited housing supply and the need for greater advocacy at the government level. “Unfortunately, our services aren’t growing at the rate people need them to,” Burns explains. “Turning people away, knowing they have nowhere to go at night, is a huge challenge.”
Despite these obstacles, the sense of purpose among Novas volunteers is strong. “It’s that collective effort in changing someone’s day, being the person with a smile, offering a warm meal, listening, advocating,” Burns reflects. “It’s about making sure people on the margins know they aren’t forgotten.”
For those interested in getting involved, Novas provides comprehensive training and ongoing support for new volunteers. More information can be found on their website or through their active social media platforms.
Team Limerick Clean Up
Team Limerick Clean-Up (TLC) is more than an annual event, it is a community led initiative that promotes environmental pride and enhances Limerick as a place to live and visit. Launched in 2015 by Paul O’Connell, Helen O’Donnell, and JP McManus, TLC encourages individuals, schools, businesses, and organizations across the county to take part in a coordinated clean-up every Good Friday. The mission of TLC is simple yet impactful, to protect the environment, reduce waste, and promote a sense of community pride. Through their efforts, they are not only making Limerick a cleaner place but also encouraging people to engage in meaningful volunteer work.
While the clean-up is a one-day event, the organization’s work extends throughout the year. Volunteers, who numbered over 22,000 last year, come together in local communities, equipped with TLC packs that include litter pickers, gloves, and hi-vis vests. Groups are treated to refreshments, making the clean-up not just a day of hard work but also a chance for local communities to connect.
Upcoming 10 year anniversary
TLC has had a noticeable impact, which can be seen in the limerick communities that take part each year. This event brings together a wide variety of volunteers, from students and sports teams to businesses and organizations like Men’s Sheds and Scout Groups. As Team Limerick Clean-up celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, the goal is to involve even more people and make the event a major celebration of community spirit and environmental action
How can you help? To register online, go to teamlimerickcleanup.ie. Follow TLC on Instagram (@teamlimerickcleanup) and Facebook (Team Limerick Clean-up).