Volunteer Now and Libraries NI are calling for people to check out bitesize volunteering opportunities currently available as part of their Christmas Connections campaign which aims to encourage people to think about giving the gift of time this Christmas before getting wrapped up in the season’s festivities.
Volunteer Now’s Chief Executive Wendy Osborne OBE said, “Christmas Connections has something for everyone whether you could spare a few hours to help with a much needed bag pack fundraiser for PIPS in Newry and Mourne, or long to become a helpful elf for the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children’s grotto in Newtownabbey. Perhaps you could host an overseas student for a day or a weekend, welcoming them to join your festivities and promoting international friendship for Host UK, maybe work off the turkey by taking part in a beach clean with Marine Conservation Society or help Marie Curie with their first ever Christmas collection in Enniskillen and other locations. You can find out about these opportunities by visiting www.volunteernow.co.uk and clicking on Christmas Connections in the news section. A few hours can make all the difference plus it is a great opportunity to ‘give’ something a little different at Christmas during this, the European Year of Volunteering. Volunteer involving organisations can also promote opportunities on our website to help find volunteers this festive season.”
Irene Knox, Chief Executive, Libraries NI said, “Libraries NI is delighted to have formed a partnership with Volunteer Now which will widen access to information about volunteering and hopefully increase library use. The Christmas Connections Campaign will feature throughout Northern Ireland libraries, with the aim of encouraging the public to think about volunteering during the festive season (and beyond!). Our library staff are keen to get involved with this campaign which aims to help people engage with their local communities.”
Volunteer Now and Libraries NI are working in partnership on a programme of shared areas of interest to raise the profile of volunteering opportunities and libraries through a range of activities. This partnership will enable the development of new projects and the sharing of experience and knowledge which will be beneficial to Volunteer Now, Libraries NI and their service users.
