IBM Software
Group in Ireland

IBM has a long-standing culture of playing an active role in the community. To celebrate its centennial in 2011, IBM decided that one of the best ways to leave a lasting legacy was to have a year long 'Celebration of Service'. IBM volunteers shared their time, skills and expertise in the places where they were most needed. Thousands of employees in the UK and Ireland registered to take part in events throughout 2011, pledging almost 95,000 hours in the process.

There were numerous projects for the Celebration of Service in Ireland.

In Dublin, for example, 'Silver Surfer' classes, run in conjunction with Age Action Ireland, aimed to train over 55's in basic computer skills. In Cork, meanwhile, IBM employees worked with Shine Ireland to enhance the talents and skills of autistic children using science and technology. In Galway, the Skills@Work program, a Business in the Community Schools Business Partnership, encouraged students to fulfil their potential by holding CV and interview workshops, as well as developing the students' teamwork and presentation skills.

'Silver Surfer' classes, IBM Dublin, 2011All these activites complement the already well-established activites IBM Ireland are involved in. These activities include the BT Young Scientist competition, Science Week, the Extreme Blue internship and 'Bring Your Child to Work Day', not to mention the fun and fabulous flash mob which took place in Galway in July 2011, when IBM employees joined with the Samaritans to promote awareness of their helpline which provides support to those in distress.

IBM Volunteers who took part in Science Week 2011 and worked with local schools to promote the relevance of science, engineering and technology in our everyday lives.

IBM has also launched a 'Mentoring Charities' program, which aims to pass on the skills IBM employees have developed as part of their everyday work, and share them with various charitable organisations through one-to-one mentoring.