The Wheel Launch New Website

Website Launched To Help Promote EFFICIENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY And GOOD GOVERNANCE Among Charities

A new website that offers free support and advice to anyone involved in community, voluntary or charitable work in Ireland was launched in Dublin today. The service, which aims to encourage greater cooperation and skills-development in the community, voluntary and charitable sector was developed by The Wheel, the support and representative body for Irish charities. “There has recently been a lot of criticism in the media levelled at the way some Irish charities operate. As a sector we need to acknowledge that there is room for improvement, particularly in areas such as governance and accountability,” said Deirdre Garvey, chief executive officer of The Wheel.

Speaking at the launch of Wheel.ie at Filmbase in Temple Bar, Ms Garvey, said that the new website offers charities access to a vast repository of information and expertise, which will help to improve competence in the sector. At the heart of the new website is Sector Connector, an interactive space where people involved in community, voluntary or charitable activity can exchange information and advice. Users can also access a comprehensive library of resource guides and fact sheets, covering areas such as regulation, fundraising, financial management and governance. In addiction, the website is home to Ireland’s largest database of funding sources; a jobs and volunteering section; a training section; a new directory of community and voluntary organisations and a year planner function to help organisations plan their national fundraising days and other major events.

Wheel.ie was created with funding from the Vodafone Ireland Foundation and the People in Need Trust and will be maintained by The Wheel. Also speaking at the launch Colm O’ Gorman, Chief Executive of Amnesty International Ireland said: “Technology is changing the way charities work. Organisations with limited resources can now reach out to large audiences on the web. Charities are also using social media very effectively to mobilise their supporters and online fundraising is becoming an increasingly important source of
income.”

The website can be accessed at: www.wheel.ie