Down District Volunteer Centre

History of the Volunteer Centre

In the mid 1990s, a group of representatives from local statutory and community groups in Down District came together and identified the need for a new organisation to take the lead in coordinating and supporting volunteering activity throughout the District. The idea took shape and led to the establisment of the Down District Volunteer Bureau in 1998.  The name changed to Down District Volunteer Centre in 2006 in line with the other Volunteer Centres in Northern Ireland.

From humble beginnings with just one member of staff, no office, no volunteers and no placements, the Centre has grown and developed beyond expectation. Now, 8 years on, the Centre is a key player in the local community life of Down District, with volunteering opportunities in over 240 placement organisations. It has involved over 1,000 individuals in volunteering to date, and currently recruits more than 200 new volunteers every year.

The basic remit of the Volunteer Centre is to match the needs an expectations of volunteers with the needs and expectations of organisations that involve volunteers. The Centre provides training to both volunteers and organisations, and promotes best practice in involving volunteers. DDVC has a proven record of excellence in developing new and innovative projects that consistently encourage people to get involved as active citizens. A number of projects push the boundaries of common perception and expectation around who a 'typical' volunteer is, and groups who have traditionally been underrepresented in volunteering have become involved.  Volunteers are involved at every level within the organisation, and a team of five office volunteers play a central role in the success of the organisation. The organisation is headed by a Management Committee consisting of volunteers and representatives from local community and statutory groups.