Teresa Hanna

As a Mother of a child with severe learning difficulties, in the early nineties along with other parents she decided to do something to overcome the lack of facilities in her area for children and young people with severe learning difficulties – thus was born the Welcome Trust.   Today this amazing project offers, substantial support to parents and is a very important social lifeline for people with a learning disability.  In addition, she has developed a very strong Millennium Volunteers Programme for young people and during the past few years 20 young people have achieved their Award for 200 hours of voluntary service.  Rightly so, she is very proud of her volunteer team, particularly her young people and has often said that “everyone has something to give and something to learn”.  We are proud to recognise and acknowledge time freely given by presenting this accolade to Teresa Hanna.

Mrs A Khan

This person was instrumental in establishing a support group for Muslim women living in Northern Ireland and she is now the current Chairperson of the Al Nisa Association.   The Al Nisa Association is managed and operated by volunteers and is particularly keen to address social isolation felt by Muslim Women in Northern Ireland, by providing information, support and activities.

This lady works relentlessly to support and represent Muslim Women and the wider Muslim Community in Northern Ireland. To increase our understanding of Muslim Customs, Traditions and Culture, she, in 2000 wrote and published a very comprehensive information pack. VSB welcomes the diversity that the Muslim Community brings to Northern Ireland and in appreciation of her contribution we are delighted to present this accolade to Mrs A Khan.

Bernice McGurk

This is a lady who, as she has often stated – “is determined to try something at least once”.  Born with Hydrocephalus she went blind at the age of five, but undaunted and determined to get involved she contacted VSB to try volunteering at least once and that was a good number of years ago.  Since then she has been Involved as a volunteer with organisations such as PHAB, 174 Trust, The Community Arts Forum and as a Befriender she has enjoyed raising the spirits of a housebound visually impaired girl.  This busy lady is always ready for the next volunteering adventure.  We are honoured to present this accolade to such an inspirational individual Bernice McGurk.

Rosemary Moran

Charity Shops generate much needed income for many organisations and also provide excellent volunteer opportunities.  This individual began volunteering in a local Charity shop over ten years ago, and soon found herself “volunteering” to take on the responsibility for the day to day running of the shop and the supervision of the other 9 volunteers aged between 16 - 90 years. 

Not an easy task, but this lady and her team are successful and have raised over £200,000 in the past ten years? She organises the Volunteer Rota, the finances, stock control, and her husband has been known to be volunteered to carry out minor repairs to the small shop in Andersonstown. The shop is a popular stopping off point for bargains, chat and maybe the odd cup of tea.  As a certain Bishop in the Audience knows when he popped in to buy a baseball cap - he of course was offered his tea in the best china. In keeping the shop open and in recognition of all Charity Shop volunteers we are delighted to present this accolade to Rosemary Moran.

Emma Ringland

This young woman was a long term volunteer with VSB in 1999, before going on to become a qualified Social Worker.  Like most LTV’s she had a cocktail of volunteering experiences.  After her time as an LTV, she remained active with VSB and was for 4 years a volunteer on the Management Committee of Yong Citizens in Action.  During this period of involvement she was a participant on a youth volunteering project to Romania - this experience would have a significant impact on her life.  The group that year raised over £27,000 to assist street children and orphanages in Brasov, and undertook a series of practical tasks such as decorating and maintenance work in the orphanages.  The following year she became the co-ordinator and leader of the group, again raising in excess of £20,000.  Romania and particularly its children are now part of her everyday life, she goes back regularly to offer her skills supporting young people leaving the orphanage to adjust and gain the vital life skills necessary to survive.   She has established fundraising groups in Northern Ireland by raising many thousands of pounds for a Charitable organisation that she helps to run in Romania in support of young people.  For the humility and compassion that makes a real difference to peoples lives we present this accolade to Emma Ringland.

Isabel Quinliven

This person has a passion for dogs, particularly King Charles Spaniels, not content to keep it to herself she thought it would be a good idea to share her passion with older people living in residential and sheltered accommodation, so approximately 20 years go she set out to recruit volunteers to assist.  Her requirements for volunteers were quite unusual - they had to be obedient, well behaved, have an up to date Council licence, be vaccinated and very importantly didn’t bark or leave a mess when excited.  If your dog fulfilled all of these volunteer requirements then your suitability would be considered.  Today Caring Canines has almost 130 volunteers visiting numerous residential facilities across Northern Ireland.  The organisation, its volunteers, but most of all the dogs are highly regarded and valued by staff and residents.

We are delighted to present this accolade to Isabel Quinliven and of course her dogs.

John Mitchell

This person had very promising career in the retail sector as an area Manager before a serious car accident forced him out of full time employment.  Sitting at home recuperating he found was a boring option, and one that was not helping his recovery.  Someone suggested volunteering so he came to VSB, and that was over 10 years ago. He found his niche within the practical services team, providing a decorating, gardening and environmental service.  Today he also assists with the supervision of other volunteers, drives the minibus, delivers urgent mail and distributes promotional leaflets.

Despite the fact that he is a Geordie Lad he is extremely popular and is well known for completing the daily newspaper crossword before embarking on his volunteering.  He is a very important asset to the organisation.  For keeping us aware of how important practical services are to the lives of people we present this accolade to John Mitchell.

OWEN MAGUIRE

Like most volunteers this next individual attributes his entry into volunteering because he was asked.  Well that’s the nice way of putting it, what he actually said was that he was conned into it by his wife Bridie.  Bridie, along with other women in the Ardoyne had been meeting to discuss what they could do to improve the opportunities for young people and to stop them getting caught up in the rioting and conflict of the early 1970’s.  After a number of meetings he made the comment about too much talk and little action.  The challenge was laid before him what are you doing - and so began Owen’s journey from volunteer to professionally qualified Youth Worker. Owen and Bridie were dynamic volunteers in the 70’s from starting a small summer playscheme, they established an after school and youth club in derelict houses in Hebert Street, mobilised the community and raised what was in those days significant amounts of money to open a new purpose built John Paul II Youth Club.  Hundreds, if not thousands, of children and young people have had their lives enriched by the Maguire’s commitment to their community.  Sadly, Bridie passed away a few years ago but we are delighted to present as a tribute to those early years of voluntary involvement this accolade to Owen Maguire

Bill Morrow & Wilson Baxter

The dictionary defines a gentleman “as a chivalrous well bred man”, all of us who know the next two individuals know they fit the definition.   When you hear Morecombe you think Wise, and when you hear Ant you think Deck.  In VSB the names Bill & Wilson for the past 16+ years have resonated as one. As volunteers they maintained a Home Security project which is helping to provide peace of mind to vulnerable people, fitted in excess of 20,000 security devices and smoke alarms in homes across the greater Belfast area. They are regular drivers providing essential transport for individuals with limited mobility to attend hospital appointments, or just to get out on a social outing to the latest garden centre or shopping complex. They were both heavily involved in the development of Retired Senior Volunteer Programme and Bill still has a group that meets regularly in VSB. The importance of social capital in contributing to improved economic, social and health outcomes is well documented.  One commentator states “social capital is the attitude, spirit and willingness of people to engage in collective civic activities”.  VSB has no better example of social capital than these two gentlemen, and we are honoured to present this accolade to Bill Morrow and Wilson Baxter.

Darren Ferguson

“We do not need to change the world.  To nudge a little bit of it along would be enough”.  This next accolade goes to a young man who nudges his little bit along with music.  In 1999 he was a volunteer on a Youth Programme to Romania which brought exposure to other cultures.

With the growing problem of racial attacks in Northern Ireland he wanted to do something and what better way than to use his love of music.  In 2004 he was one of the founders of Beyond Skin, an organisation which use the power of music, a universal language that transcends religion, cultural geographic borders, to address racism and sectarianism.   Beyond Skin have now established the   Motion Project - Northern Ireland’s Multi Cultural Band - a collection of musicians which represents 18 nationalities living here.  CD’s available on the way out!!  For taking us Beyond Skin and giving us a little soul we present this accolade to Darren Ferguson.

Jim McBride

Did you ever stop to think of the number of volunteers involved with sport - every Saturday in those soccer leagues, Sunday GAA Matches, the North West 200, Coaches, league organisers, stewarts, and of course the man or woman who has to adjudicate the referee.  This man has been involved as Rugby Referee for well let’s just say a long time.  Next to his passion for Rugby is gardening and next to that is VSB.  He has been involved for most of the 40 years.  As a Headmaster in South Belfast he got young people and teachers involved in Community Service in the 1970’s, he along with VSB organised for young people from the International Atlantic College to come to Belfast, and successfully advocated for scholarships from ELB’s for young people from Northern Ireland to attend this prestigious College. He became involved and still is on the Management Committee, he became Chairperson. ……… I could go on but in short.  I and past VSB Directors, staff past and present have valued his interest, support and most of all advice.  I am particularly pleased and honoured to present this accolade to Jim McBride.