THE UCC MEMBERS OF THE IRISH COPPER TEAM PARTICIPATED IN A TRANSNATIONAL TRAINING EVENT OF COPPER VOLUNTEERS IN PORTUGAL

Dr. Katharina Swirak and Ute Krenzer from University College Cork took part in the transnational training event held in Portugal in May. As part of their presentation on different European approaches to volunteering, they engaged volunteers in a short brainstorming and reflective exercise, encouraging participants to share their own perspectives and thoughts on volunteering.

Their presentation also explored in depth the complex factors that influence volunteering in probation across various national contexts, including historical understandings of ‘community’, national policy priorities, and sentencing laws. The session offered volunteers a deeper understanding of the significance of their role in probation volunteering and sparked valuable conversations among all CoPPer team members.