Louth Volunteer Centre is calling on local community and voluntary organisations to join them at the 6th Annual County Louth Schools Volunteering Conference to showcase opportunities for young people. Taking place at the Fairways Hotel, Dundalk, on Tuesday 7th and Wednesday 8th October 2025 from 9:30am–12:30pm, the event will bring together over 850 secondary school students from across the county to discover how they can get involved in volunteering.
At the heart of the conference is the Volunteer Fair, designed to connect young people with organisations that need their time, energy, and fresh perspectives. Students will meet a wide variety of local community and voluntary groups, hear from guest speakers including Localise, Gaisce – The President’s Award, Leargas, and Dundalk Institute of Technology (DKIT), and enjoy a special talk and performance from local musician Mike Mc Nicholas, aka ‘Geansai’.
Local volunteer-involving organisations (VIOs) are invited to take part in the Volunteer Fair, where they can meet students directly, promote their volunteer roles, and inspire the next generation to get involved. This is a unique chance to showcase your organisation’s impact and recruit enthusiastic young volunteers.
“This conference is about sparking the volunteering journey for young people in County Louth,” said Kayleigh Mulligan, Manager at Louth Volunteer Centre. “We’re delighted to see such a strong response from schools, organisations, and our guest speakers, all coming together to show students the value of giving back to their local community.”
Research shows that young people who volunteer are 50% more likely to feel connected to their community, while also developing teamwork, leadership, and communication skills that benefit them in education and future careers.
Volunteering is a vital part of community life. It empowers people to raise awareness for local causes, drive real change in their daily lives, and act as ambassadors for the organisations they represent. By sharing their experiences with friends, family, and peers, young volunteers also help to spread awareness and build trust in community initiatives across the county.