'Volunteer Now' calls for Ballymena recruits

Also, according to the Chief Executive of the newly formed organisation, Volunteer Now, research has shown that generally volunteers have a more positive attitude to retirement, were more sociable, had greater social circles and had more fulfilling lifestyles than those who did not volunteer.

Wendy Osborne OBE was speaking at The Braid Town Hall, Museum and Arts Centre in Ballymena, last week, at the fifth of nine events to be held across Northern Ireland to mark the establishment of Volunteer Now, a regional to local organisation which will work to promote, enhance and support volunteering across Northern Ireland.

She said: “People in Northern Ireland are living longer and this opens up many opportunities to involve older people as volunteers.

“Older people are currently under represented in volunteering. The 65+ age group are the least likely age group to volunteer, however, they are the most likely to give more time and be more consistent about giving that time.

“We want to increase the number of older people getting involved and seeing volunteering as a worthwhile opportunity to use their skills and experience to help others and make a difference in their community.”

Also speaking at the event was Anne O’Reilly, Chief Executive, Age NI who said, “The structure and fabric of our society is fundamentally changing. Population ageing is a global phenomenon with far reaching implications for our society as a whole as well as for the individual ageing experience. With great change comes great opportunity, and no where is this more evident than in the untapped potential of older people.

Large and significant numbers of older people are contributing as active citizens – as carers and grandparents, and through supporting each other in fun and friendship in groups, working as volunteers in the arts, sports and the environment. They are a rich natural resource that we should cherish and value.”

Betty Flanagan a local volunteer discussed her experience of volunteering during the event.

She said: “Anyone can be a volunteer, regardless of age or background. There is such a wide variety of opportunities available including driving a minibus for Rehability, conservation work and hosting international students in your own home.

“Volunteering has the potential to be of real value to individuals and to the community, and it can be really worthwhile for the volunteer too.”

Nine launch events taking place across Northern Ireland will highlight the vast range of areas and ways in which volunteers are involved. The events themed under sport; health/disability; environment/heritage; youth; older people; arts and culture are aimed at demonstrating the value and reach of volunteering in Northern Ireland and the role which the new organisation will play in delivering an enhanced service going forward.

For more information on volunteering go to www.volunteernow.co.uk