News Release Page Title

26 September 2002

DODDS ‘CARES’ ABOUT VOLUNTEERING IN BELFAST

Nigel Dodds MP MLA, the Minister for Social Development, today highlighted the benefits, which Employer Supported Volunteering brings to the community, employers, and employees, and called for more organisations to get involved.

Speaking during an Awards Ceremony for companies who participated in the Belfast Cares Employer Supported Volunteering Initiative, he said:

"Whilst employer supported volunteering activity brings obvious benefits to the community and to the organisations receiving help, an increasing number of public and private sector employers are beginning to realise the benefits they also can derive. These include a higher corporate profile, improved team working, personal development of staff, better morale and motivation, and a general sense of well-being for the staff involved."

Mr. Dodds encouraged other organisations to become involved in initiatives such as Belfast Cares to meet the demand from vulnerable and needy groups in the community. He said: "At a time when there is a renewed focus on building community infrastructure and promoting the active and voluntary involvement of people within society, the concept of employer supported volunteering can be a positive vehicle for change. A cohesive community depends on all sectors pulling together to meet their social responsibility obligations."

The Minister also praised the work of Voluntary Service Belfast, who runs the Belfast Cares initiative, and its partner organisations. He said: "My Department is familiar with the valuable work of Voluntary Service Belfast and its partner organisations in building stronger communities by creating and supporting opportunities for voluntary action. This work is also helping to deliver Government objectives, as outlined in the Programme for Government."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

  1. Voluntary Service Belfast (VSB) is a volunteer bureau serving the Belfast, Castlereagh and North Down areas. The organisation forms part of the infrastructure, which supports, promotes and develops all aspects of volunteering. The Department for Social Development provides core funding to VSB, amounting to £129,937, through the Volunteer Bureaux Initiative.

  2. VSB operates the Belfast Cares Initiative, in partnership with Business in the Community, which is specifically designed to provide employees with the opportunity to help others through voluntary activities. The initiative links voluntary organisations that need help with companies who can provide help. Belfast Cares aims to raise awareness of the needs of the voluntary and community sector in Belfast amongst employers and employees and provides a quick and easy way to meet those needs. 

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