‘Incredibly rewarding’: UL students contribute 66,000 hours of volunteer work to local communities

University of Limerick students contributed almost 66,000 hours of volunteer work in their local communities over the past year.

In a special ceremony held on campus, 985 UL students were recognised for their volunteer work and commitment to civic engagement at the annual President’s Volunteer Awards (PVA).

Now in its sixteenth year, and marking a decade of partnership with Student Volunteer Ireland, UL PVA recognises students who demonstrate a commitment to volunteering, both on and off campus, throughout the academic year. Each student is presented with a parchment in recognition of their hours spent volunteering with charitable and community organisations and initiatives. Each student’s PVA Award is also noted on their academic transcript, showcasing their commitment to civic engagement.

Addressing the almost 1,000-strong UL PVA student cohort, UL President Professor Shane Kilcommins commended the students for “choosing to give their time, energy, and talents in the service of others”.

“Countless examples of this in action are on display every year at these awards, and in doing so they remind us that a university’s impact is measured not only by the knowledge it creates, but by the contribution its people make to society. The commitment shown by these students embodies the values of generosity, empathy and civic responsibility that are at the heart of University of Limerick,” said Professor Kilcommins.

Linda Fitzgerald, Student Volunteering and PVA Manager, applauded the students and acknowledged the “profound impact” their volunteering has had on their communities.

“The extraordinary commitment shown by almost 1,000 UL students to volunteering and civic engagement is a tremendous achievement and one that deserves to be celebrated,” said Ms Fitzgerald.

Each year, several students are given additional recognition as Volunteers of the Year in acknowledgement of their outstanding contribution and dedication to student volunteering. This year, that accolade was presented to: Rosemarie Carroll (Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences), Aaron Fox (Educational and Health Sciences), Elle Murphy (Kemmy Business School), and Joe ‘JJ’ Harrington and Shauna O'Keeffe (Science and Engineering).

Aaron Fox, an international student currently in second year of the Graduate Entry Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery programme, already had a strong background in volunteering back home in Canada. When he moved to Ireland, PVA gave him the opportunity to contribute to his new community in a meaningful way.

Aaron – who completed his PVA volunteering with the Order of Malta, the Centre for Family Literacy, and Access Campus – found the experience to be “incredibly rewarding”.

“One of the highlights was joining the Order of Malta, where I completed my First Aid Response training and began volunteering at events throughout the community. I particularly enjoyed being able to apply some of the medical knowledge I was learning at university in a more practical setting, while also learning valuable skills from experienced volunteers and first responders,” said Aaron.

“Through Access Campus, I had the opportunity to meet local Leaving Certificate students and help them review material and prepare for their examinations. It was a great reminder of how much of a difference a little extra guidance and encouragement can make, particularly during what can be a stressful period for students,” he added.

Elle Murphy, a third-year Law and Accounting student who completed part of her volunteering with the Irish Girl Guides, said her PVA experience allowed her to appreciate the impact that volunteering can have on both individuals and the wider community.

“Participating in the PVA has reinforced my belief that a strong community is built through people being willing to give their time, supporting one another, and making a difference in whatever way they can,” said Elle.

“It has shown me that volunteering is not just about the hours you contribute, but about the relationships you build, the confidence you help others to develop, and the positive experiences you create.”

Joe ‘JJ’ Harrington’s PVA experience is one he will “cherish”, he said, having completed his volunteering with Réaltaí; a GAA programme designed for adult players to coach local children with disabilities. Currently studying on the MSc in Mechanical Engineering, JJ has been involved in the programme since his first year at UL.

“I got involved because I saw it as something that would benefit children who might not have the same opportunities to play sport as I had. It also helped me feel closer to my community, especially one where so many people give up their time in so many ways,” said JJ.

“Participating in the PVA has helped me see the value in bringing a community together. It showed me how people appreciate giving up your time to help someone else, no matter how small. Volunteering is something I cherish, and I am grateful I have the opportunity to give up my time for a good cause,” he added.

Rosemarie Carroll, a recent graduate of the CWELL (Community, Wellness, Empowerment, Leadership and Life skills) diploma, completed her PVA volunteering with several projects including The Breakfast Club with Barnardos and The Lego Club with St Mary’s National School. She now continues to work with two community organisations as a direct result of her PVA experience.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my experience as it allowed me to work in a number of different areas, especially with the broader community, to try to narrow down some areas where my skills might be best suited going forward. It has developed my confidence, given me further practical opportunities to learn and opened my eyes to the benefit of communities and community groups working together for improvement for all within an area,” said Rosemarie.

Shauna O’Keeffe, a third-year Bioscience student, completed her volunteering across a variety of settings within the UL community, with key projects including organising and hosting a fundraising event for the Irish Cancer Society and supporting at Science Week. 

Shauna was motivated to participate in PVA through her passion for supporting cancer research.

“I wanted to help raise awareness and funds [for the Irish Cancer Society] because increased investment in research can lead to the purchase of more advanced equipment, improve research quality, and ultimately accelerate the translation of scientific discoveries into better outcomes for patients,” she explained.

Reflecting on the PVA experience, she added: “One of the most memorable aspects was working with primary school children during Science Week, where I helped teach them how to extract DNA from a banana. Seeing their fascination with science was incredibly fulfilling. On the other hand, while fundraising for cancer research, I had opportunities to speak with students and staff about the realities of research funding and saw how surprised many people were to learn about the challenges researchers face.”