Unlocking Potential is an example of one of the many projects that are ongoing at the moment. This project began in Autumn 2008, is funded by Atlantic Philanthropies over a five year period. The project has a regional focus but will be delivered at local level. The regional co-ordination and management is provided by the Volunteer Developement Agency; local delivery is in association with local Volunteer Centres. Two of the Volunteer Centres provide strategic support including hosting staff (Belfast & Castlereagh Volunteer Centre/VSB and North West Volunteer Centre) and supporting partnerships of local stakeholders.

Initially focus will be in the Belfast & Castlereagh and L'Derry and Strabane area. As the project develops over the next two years focus will spread out to the rest of Northern Ireland.

Project Objectives

To challange attitudes and raise awareness of the contribution and benefits of voluneering.
To increase the number of older volunteers.
To improve access to and develop volunteer opportunities for older people that meet their expectations and positively impact on communities.
To enhance older people's quality of life in relation to equality, social inclusion, support and health issues.

If you are over 60 and have some free time and would like to do something as little as an hour a week please get in touch with the North West Volunteer Centre to find out about volunteering opportunities and promotional events...coffee mornings...turn up and try events and find your one good reason!

So now you have an idea about volunteering, the next step is to find an organisation that needs your help. Your local volunteer centre can make this process easy. Simply contact us on 028 71 271017 / 028 71 381800 or call into the volunteer centre at: 22 Bishop Street, Derry / 2 Mourne Villas, Strabane

We will:

• Talk to you about the range of opportunities that suit you
  
• Arrange for you to meet with one or more organisation
  
• Ensure you have all the information necessary to start volunteering and keep in touch with you regularly while you volunteer
  
• Provide support, training (if you are interested) and social opportunities and also ensure that you are not out of pocket while you volunteer
  
  ARE you aged 16 – 24 and interested in volunteering? Millennium Volunteers is a national programme designed to promote and recognise sustained volunteering among young people aged between 16 to 24. It is funded by the Department of Education in Northern Ireland. The programme encourages organisations to provide innovative, flexible voluntary opportunities for young people that match their interests and expectations and provide tangible benefits to the young person and their community. Awards are given for 50 hours, 100 and 200 hours volunteers. For more information please contact the Centre 
  

So give us a call today - you've got nothing to lose but lots to gain!!