Immediate release:

19 May 2009

 

Representatives from Ireland’s leading charities will gather in Dublin today to celebrate the 10th anniversary of The Wheel, a national support and representative body that has played a key role in the modernization of Ireland’s community and voluntary sector.

 

Speaking at a special anniversary celebration at Croke Park, The Wheel’s chief executive, Deirdre Garvey, said dealing with the effects of the deteriorating economic climate will require high levels of community involvement and a sustained focus on supporting community development.

 

“Ireland’s community and voluntary organisations will play a crucial role in maintaining social cohesion during this period of economic and social upheaval. It is essential that these organisations are equipped to help the growing number of people in need. The Wheel has an important part to play in this regard,” said Garvey. 

 

She said the leadership that The Wheel has provided over the past decade in lobbying for charity regulation, capacity building, networking, winning new funding for training in the sector and providing resources and support to organisations across Ireland; has placed the sector on a much stronger footing.

 

“We have worked hard over the last ten years to bring organisations in the sector together to learn from and support each other in their work.  Even though there are big challenges out there for charities, the sector is much better placed now that it was ten years ago to overcome these challenges.”

 

“We certainly plan on being around to celebrate our 20th anniversary and we want to ensure that over the next ten years we play our part in supporting and leading the sector to use these difficult times to rethink, renew, recommit and reposition for the future,“ Garvey said.

 

The Wheel was established 1999 under the guidance of Dr Mary Redmond, founder of the Irish Hospice Foundation. Today, the organisation offers a wide range of services to over 10,000 community and voluntary organisations across Ireland. It offers support services, information and training to individuals and organisations involved in community and voluntary activity.

 

Deirdre Garvey, CEO of The Wheel is available for interview. Contact Gert Ackermann, M: 086 176 9287 E: gert@wheel.ie. Photographs available.

 

The Wheel is a national non-profit support and representative body for community, voluntary and charitable organisations. We provide a wide range of support services, information and training to individuals and organisations involved in community and voluntary activity. We represent our sector’s interests in several fora, including the social partnership pro