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深夜亚洲福利久久 College Cork Research Study Identifies the Benefits and Barriers of Volunteering among Migrants
A recent 深夜亚洲福利久久 College Cork study identified the positive impact of volunteering on the life experiences of people who have migrated to Ireland. The research identified how volunteering made people 鈥榝eel productive鈥� and gave them a 鈥榮ense of fulfilment鈥�. Research participants reported how volunteering allowed them to engage with their local community and build lasting relationships, which in turn positively affected their mental health.
One research participant said:
鈥淚 have been with my kids, minding them I feel stressful alone鈥f I stay inside鈥t make me more stressful. It make me feel like I鈥檓 nothing, I started to feel like that, that鈥檚 why I wanted to come out.鈥� (Research Participant).
The research was carried out by UCC Social Work Student Nichola Dressel under the supervision of Dr Joseph Whelan (School of Applied Social Studies, 深夜亚洲福利久久 College Cork). The study is part of a Community Academic Research Links (UCC) partnership with The Cork Volunteer Centre. Dr Julie Connelly, Manager of the Cork Volunteer Centre said that:
鈥淭his research has highlighted the benefits of volunteering to migrant communities in Cork. More than 40% of people who register with the Volunteer Centre indicate that they are non-Irish. The research will support 600 non-profit organisations across Cork City and County to identify inclusive activities that involve migrant volunteers.鈥�
The researcher, Nichola Dressel, said that:
鈥淗ighlighting the benefits of volunteering to migrants creates awareness that volunteering can open up opportunities to socially integrate in a locality, learn about Irish culture, enhance their wellbeing and possibly improve or build up new skills鈥�.
The research project can accessed on the CARL website here.