OBJECTIVES OF THE SESSION

This session aims to:

• Bring together a community of practice around social prescribing and volunteering

• Share the background concepts, ideas, benefits of social prescribing

• Share the latest concepts, ideas and benefits of volunteering

• Discuss existing examples, experiences and tools

 

KEY SPEAKERS

The session will feature contributions from key speakers and experts:
 

Professor Deirdre Connoly, Professor in Occupational Therapy, Trinity College Dublin

Deirdre Connolly is a Professor of Occupational Therapy at the School of Medicine, Trinity College, Dublin. She is also a researcher in social prescribing, evaluating the impact of social prescribing on the health and well-being of individuals with chronic diseases, multimorbidity, and people living with and beyond cancer.

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Stuart Garland, Learning and Capacity Building Manager, Volunteer Ireland

Stuart Garland is Learning and Capacity Building Manager with Volunteer Ireland and is recognised as a leading specialist in volunteer management and engagement, with extensive experience developing and delivering volunteer programmes in Ireland and across Europe. His work focuses on creating quality, inclusive and accessible volunteering opportunities and exploring how volunteering can enable people to participate, contribute, connect with others and build stronger communities. Stuart is passionate about the wider impact of volunteering on people’s lives, including its potential to tackle social isolation and loneliness by creating meaningful opportunities for connection, purpose and belonging.