This week (18th – 24th May) is National Volunteering Week. The theme this year is 'From Every Corner, For Every Cause', which perfectly describes our incredible volunteer team here at LauraLynn. With 2026 also being the International Year of Volunteering, it’s a great time for us to publicly say a massive thank you to the people who give their time so generously to our hospice.
A quick look at the numbers
Our Volunteer Coordinator, Emma McLoughlin, recently shared some standout figures that really show how much the volunteer programme is growing and the tangible difference it makes to our services:
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We currently have 115 active volunteers supporting us.
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In 2025, they contributed a massive 4,271 volunteer hours.
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That’s a 40% increase in just two years!
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To put that in perspective, if calculated at the current minimum wage, our volunteers gifted at least €60,441 worth of their time to LauraLynn last year alone.
What it means to LauraLynn
Our departments simply couldn't operate the same way without this support. Emma points out exactly what this means for the children and families we care for:
"During National Volunteering Week we take the time to recognise and celebrate our incredible 115 volunteers who give their time so generously to LauraLynn. Their compassion, kindness and commitment help create moments of joy and connection for the children, residents and families we support. Our departments and teams simply could not do what they do without the support of our amazing volunteers. During this special week, and also recognising the International Year of Volunteering, it is a time for us all to thank them for their deep commitment and the connection they have with our mission and values, and how that makes a lasting difference every day."
The volunteers feel that strong connection just as much as we do. Denise Dunne, one of our regular volunteers, shared this lovely reflection on why she loves being part of the team:
"Despite our different backgrounds, every volunteer shares the same passion for the LauraLynn mission. This diversity brings a wealth of different perspectives and energies to the activities, which is so enriching for the families. It reminds me that compassion is a universal language—no matter our backgrounds, we are all there for the same reason: to support these incredible children and celebrate life."
To all our volunteers giving their time, energy, and skills to LauraLynn: thank you. We are incredibly lucky to have you as part of our community!
