Welcome to Down District Volunteer Centre
We are open Monday to Friday if you're interested in finding out more about volunteering. We also run an outreach service from September to June.
Ideas for young volunteers; The youth forum is starting up again to plan some fundraising, a number of action days for young volunteers have been arranged - a great opportunity to meet with other volunteers and have some fun as well as helping different groups and more - look on the Millennium Volunteer page for more information.
Volunteer Project gets award; Volunteer with RNID gets Queen's Award. Find out more about that and their volunteer role, perhaps you can get involved.
Volunteers' Week Thanks
A big thank you to all volunteers for another tremendous year volunteering for organisations, groups and communities in Down. A Government report estimates your contribution as worth over £2 millions to the local economy.
On Wednesday 3 June there was a barbeque for nearly 70 volunteers in Castleward. A great day was had by all and thanks especially to Down Community Transport for generous support.
On Friday 5 June 10 volunteers participated in a guided walk of historic Downpatrick led by Linda McKenna from Down County Museum. The walk focused on the administration of justice in Down and finished with a guided tour of the Court House on English Street, tea and scones. Presentations of certificates were then made to a number of volunteers from the Court Witness Support Service run in association with Victim Support.
DDVC gratefully acknowledges the support of the National Trust, Down Community Transport, Down County Museum and the Downpatrick Court Service in organising these events.
Assisi Fundraising Group - The Downpatrick group of this animal welfare charity is just starting up and needs new members. If you feel you could give some time to help raise awareness and maybe helping with fundraising then please go along to their meeting on Wednesday 1st July, in Denvirs at 7pm.
Training - is available for volunteer managers; Managing and Motivating Volunteers and Recruitment and Selection of Volunteers. Both courses run over two days and are accredited by OCN NI if desired. For more information go to the Training Courses section or contact Antje Otto at the Volunteer Centre.
Jump on Board training; get committee skills training, especially for younger volunteers. Learn about goal setting, planning, mapping and how to form a committee. If you're interested contact Pamela at the Volunteer Centre.
Volunteer Manager's Forum
The next meeting of the Volunteer Managers' Forum will be held on Monday 8th June in Downpatrick. The Forum brings together people who manage volunteers in community groups or voluntary organisations and looks at issues common to each. It is a great way to share information and to network.
Speakers/ Topics :
* Fergus Cooper, DDVC - presentation on PR & Marketing
* Neil Irwin, NICVA - presentation on fundraising
* Linda Baker, Good Morning Down - organisational profile
Anyone interested please contact a member of staff at the volunteer Centre. Read about our March Forum.
Exploring Enterprise Course
Down Business Centre is offering a short accredited course entitled Exploring Enterprise at the end of June 2009. The course is targeted at people who are unemployed or inactive in the labour market. Eg registered disabled, lone parents etc. Lasting just 8 sessions participants can obtain a VRQ Level 11 certificate of Business Enterprise on completion of the course portfolio. There is no requirement to actually start a business. The course will help you assess whether enterprise is for you or simply learn more about how business works. For more information contact: Joan Tummon at 028 4461 6416
Wanna Volunteer?
Why not have a look at our opportunities list (has the newest opportunities, but not full list), or get in contact with us for more information.
Try something a little bit different; Opera Fringe are looking for volunteers to help handing out brochures to advertise events over the next couple of months.
Come along to a table quiz; fundraising for Assisi Animal Sanctuary on June 24th. Find out more about the Assisi Animal Sanctuary by coming along on the night or look up their web site.
Fundraising opportunities to help young volunteer take on the Great Wall of China. A young volunteer registered with Down District Volunteer Centre has taken on a huge task of organising a number of fundraising events from flag days to abseiling to raise money for a trip of a life time to China - all in aid of a charity.
Write On Volunteers
A group of young volunteers, interested in local and youth issues, have organised a journalism project - new members welcome - click here to find out more.
Down District Volunteer Centre is registered as a company limited by guarantee in Northern Ireland (NI40362) and is registered as a charity for tax purposes with the Inland Revenue.
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