Employer Supported Volunteering

Sixty Employer Supported Volunteers gathered at VSB for breakfast and entertainment by special guest singer, James Huish on 3 June before setting out for a days volunteering across Belfast and North Down. Action Days provide employers with the opportunity to actively encourage their employees to participate in voluntary work to help the local community.	Swing into Summer saw volunteers from the Department of Finance and Personnel, Department of Health, Social Services and Pensions, the VDA and VSB completed a range of tasks including work at the National Trust's Mount Stewart, Assisi Animal Sanctuary at Conlig, Childline NI, Fleming Fulton School and Cavehill Scout Hall.

On 4 June 100 guests including local volunteers, community groups and councillors attended a Garden Party at Castlereagh Civic Buildings to celebrate volunteering. The event was a joint venture involving Castlereagh Council, East Belfast Community Development Association and VSB to highlight the contribution that volunteers make within the Castlereagh area. The Mayor, Councillor Anne Marie Beattie spoke as did Wendy Osborne, Director of the VDA on the importance of volunteering and how vital it is to the local community.

More than 200 people enjoyed a day of entertainment, information and fun at VSB's Volunteering Fair on 5 June. The event was organised by VSB and the VDA and funded by Belfast City Council. The new Lord Mayor, Councillor, Naomi Long presented the Investing in Volunteers Awards and 30 voluntary organisations including The Prince's Trust, PSNI (Community Safety), RNID, NI Cancer Fund for Children, the British Heart Foundation provided information about their work and how to get involved as a volunteer. Attractions during the day included the 'Big Yin', stilt walker, Vintage Fashion show presented by Patience Bradley and her dog, Mary Rose, clothes, modelled by VSB staff and courtesy of East Belfast Mission's Vintage shop in Royal Avenue, Can't Cook, Won't Cook cookery demonstration by Heaven's Kitchen and Sandy Row's Falcons Cheer Leading Team. Beyond Skin provided a range of music from around the world and free tea/coffee and muffins were served throughout the day!

To celebrate the 25^th anniversary of Volunteers Week North Down & Ards Volunteer Centre held an Open Day on Tuesday 2 June. Members of the public, along with registered volunteers were invited into the Centre to find out about local volunteering opportunities, whilst enjoying some refreshments! North Down & Ards Volunteer Centre has almost 200 organisations registered, all requiring volunteers, so there are lots of different opportunities available. The Open Day allowed those calling in to find out about the opportunities and how to take the next step to volunteer. 

The Volunteers Week event was also used to thank our volunteer drivers for their commitment throughout the year.   Last year our team of volunteer drivers completed 99,782 miles of driving and 4,853 volunteer hours, assisting over 250 clients.

A "Thank You" event was held on Thursday 4 June at Farset International on the Springfield Road for all those who participated on the year long Older Men's Project. Seventy senior men got together for some craic and fun with Tim McGarry aka Da from Give My Head Peace. They were entertained by singer Phil Campbell, and later enjoyed a three course lunch. The next event to look forward to is an All Country Concert featuring TJ Stuart, Brenda Mulgrew and Kim Dickinson on Friday 26th June 2009. The fun continues with the new programme being drawn up for the Autumn/Winter season when events will include, an historical Titanic boat trip, a trip around the old zoo, wood carving classes, computer classes, a trip to Bushmills Distillery and a trip to meet President Mary McAleese.

To celebrate the 25^th Anniversary of Volunteers Week Fermanagh Volunteer Centre held an open day on Friday 5 June 2009. Various organisations from the National Trust, Voluntary Arts Ireland through to Shopmobility attended to recruit new volunteers and reward their current volunteers. The public and registered volunteers were invited along to enjoy the festivities, refreshments and to have look at the opportunities available to volunteers within the Fermanagh area.

The National Trust in conjunction with VSB and Fast Rural Transport took many of the volunteers for a trips, throughout the day,  to the beautiful Castle Coole to see how volunteers contribute to their project.

The newly nominated chairperson of Fermanagh District Council, Mr Bertie Kerr visited and everyone got the chance to try cultural dress with help from Anita from Women of the World. There was also the opportunity to test out Shopmobility scooters!

Courtsey Voluntary Arts Ireland there was a chance for volunteers to list, on the Volunteer Tree, how they started volunteering and in what capacity they had volunteered over the 25 years!