News
Search for Volunteering Opportunities
New opportunities added daily. Powered by Be Collective.
Building Skills to Involve Volunteers
18 September 2024
by Denise Hayward, Chief Executive, Volunteer Now 4 in 10 organisations do not have enough volunteer to meet their primary objectives, while 3 in 10 have seen their volunteer recruitment increase in the past year. This is a finding from the Nottingham Trent VCSE Barometer in May 2024. This report has been followed in August […]
Read More
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service – Nominations Now Open!
2 September 2024
Do you involve volunteers? Are they making an exceptional impact on a local community? You could be awarded a King’s Award for Voluntary Service! Every day, millions of people across the UK are making a difference by volunteering. Each year, outstanding examples of this work are celebrated through the King’s Award for Voluntary Service. Equivalent […]
Read More
September Investing in Volunteers Congratulations!
2 September 2024
Investing in Volunteers (IiV) is the UK Quality Standard that helps you assess and improve the quality of your volunteer management and involvement, prove and improve the effectiveness of your work with volunteers and enhance your organisation’s reputation. Achieving the standard shows your current, and potential, volunteers how much they are valued and gives them […]
Read More
Men’s 55+ Health Day
28 August 2024
Age 55+? Come along for a morning of useful health advice, therapies and treatments, recreational activities, health checks, men’s hairdresser, exhibitors and information stands, and much, much more! Wednesday 9 October 22024, 10:30am-1:30pm Girdwood Community Hub (Girdwood Avenue, Belfast BT14 6EG) Please make sure you book your place by contacting Pamela on 028 9023 2020 […]
Read More
Women’s 55+ Health & Beauty Day
28 August 2024
Age 55+? Volunteer Now invite you to come along for a morning of useful health advice, various therapies and beauty treatments, recreational activities, health checks, exhibitors and information stands and much, much more! Tuesday 1 October 2024, 10:30am – 1:30pm Girdwood Community Hub (Girdwood Avenue, Belfast BT14 6EG) Please make sure you book your place […]
Read More
Assembly Speaker urges older people to share key issues
19 August 2024
On 15 August 2024, the Assembly Speaker, Edwin Poots MLA called on older people here to consult with the Northern Ireland Assembly on the key issues impacting their lives. The call comes ahead of the Older People’s Parliament which is scheduled to take place in Parliament Buildings on Saturday 12 October and will be an […]
Read More
Fully funded training – Eden Project Introduction to Community Action
6 August 2024
Our friends at Eden Project Communities have just announced the dates for their next Introduction to Community Action Course, which will take place over five Wednesday evening sessions, 18 September to 16 October. Jam-packed with workshops, inspirational talks, networking and fun, the course is for anyone interested in making a difference in their community. It […]
Read More
Strategic Plan Members Session
31 July 2024
Volunteer Now has been working on our new Strategic Plan. Roger Courtney has been talking to members, funders and stakeholders over the past few months and supporting our board to draft our new plan. We would like to talk to our members about the draft plan to give everyone an opportunity to shape the new […]
Read More
British Red Cross seek volunteers for their mobility aids service
31 July 2024
Do you want to make a difference and support the British Red Cross? You can do both when you join their Mobility Aids Team – you can be there for people when they need it the most, whilst making a difference in your community. If you can spare a few hours per week you can […]
Read More
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service
30 July 2024
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest civil award given to groups of volunteers to recognise outstanding work done in their own communities. In November 2023 it was announced that nine volunteer groups in N Ireland had been awarded the King’s Award for Voluntary Service. All nine groups have now been presented with […]
Read More
Charity Regulation Consultation Online Session
15 July 2024
The Department for Communities is consulting on the introduction of a £20,000 registration threshold below which charities would not be required to register with the Charity Commission. The consultation seeks views on the regulatory framework for those charities falling below the £20,000 registration threshold that choose not to register or de-register as charities. Small charities under this income […]
Read More
VCSE Barometer Survey
3 July 2024
The VCSE Data and Insights Observatory’s quarterly survey is open for responses from Wednesday 3 July for three weeks. Now in its seventh wave, the Barometer is becoming a firm fixture in the VCSE community and is growing in its profile and reach. Each quarter, it provides useful data and resources on sector health in […]
Read More
Institute of Volunteer Leadership 2024 Sessions
1 July 2024
The Institute of Volunteer Leadership (IVL) is designed for leaders of volunteers, whether paid or unpaid, based in Ireland and Northern Ireland. if you are eager to enhance your leadership skills, seek opportunities for professional development, and deepen your understanding of volunteer management, this programme is tailor-made for you. The programme is managed by Volunteer […]
Read More
NEW Publication: Exploring Post-Pandemic Trends in Volunteer Participation and Wellbeing
20 June 2024
We’re pleased to share this interesting policy briefing paper with you, which aims to examine trends in volunteering across Northern Ireland following the Covid-19 pandemic. There are some interesting findings on the recovery rates of volunteering across different demographics, along with a series of recommendations for Volunteer Now to consider moving forward. Download this new […]
Read More
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2024
14 June 2024
Saturday 15 June is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Let’s raise awareness of the abuse of older people, let’s prevent and stop it. It is unacceptable! Does your organisation provide services to older people? Are you doing all you can to keep them safe? Volunteer Now provide safeguarding support and training – visit Safeguarding – […]
Read More
Celebrate & explore with Eden Project Communities
7 June 2024
Eden Project Communities invites you to join an event to bring people together, connect to nature and explore community action on your doorstep. Join them for this free one-day get together as we celebrate and explore. Whether you already run your own community project, you’ve got an idea you want to explore or you’re keen […]
Read More
‘Humble Heros’ Across Northern Ireland Celebrated During Volunteers’ Week
3 June 2024
The voice for volunteering in Northern Ireland, Volunteer Now, has kicked off a week-long celebration of volunteers and the huge impact they have in local communities. Throughout the 40th Volunteers’ Week (3rd – 9th June), dozens of celebratory events and activities are taking place across Northern Ireland, bringing people who generously give their time for […]
Read More
Statement from Volunteer Now about National Service
28 May 2024
Volunteer Now is concerned by the proposed National Service scheme set out by the Conservative party and the potential it has to damage the perception and long-term uptake of crucial community volunteering. Volunteering is something you choose to do, freely, simply because you want to. Volunteer Now’s membership principles state that volunteering is about freedom to choose. The […]
Read More
International Day of Play 2024
28 May 2024
On 25 March, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution to hold an annual international awareness day for play. The International Day of Play will be held on 11 June 2024 and annually thereafter. The campaign is coordinated by a network of organisations including the International Play Association, with the Northern Ireland branch and PlayBoard […]
Read More
Public Consultation Launched on £20k Threshold for Charities in NI
22 May 2024
Department for Communities launches public consultation on a Charity Registration Threshold The Department for Communities have launched a public consultation to explore the implementation of a £20,000 registration threshold below which charities in Northern Ireland would not be required to register with the Charity Commission or provide an annual report and accounts for publication on […]
Read More
Dean helps turn grey to green and calls on the public to join the Big Help Out
21 May 2024
Radio 1 star Dean McCullough returned to his hometown of Belfast this week to visit The Belfast Urban Garden (The BUG) on the city’s Kent Street, with the aim of inspiring people to give volunteering a try during The Big Help Out next month. With support from Volunteer Now, The Conservation Volunteers and a wide […]
Read More
Looking for something to do over the summer?
17 May 2024
Looking for something to do over the summer? Here’s just a few opportunities to keep you busy! … Sólás Specialist Support Services (Belfast) – summer scheme Mencap in Northern Ireland (Belfast) – summer scheme Sew Ready (Lisburn) – summer sewing scheme The Speedwell Trust (Dungannon) – summer scheme Greenhill YMCA National Centre (Newcastle) – summer […]
Read More
FREE Online Specialist Gaming & Gambling Harm Workshop
16 May 2024
Ygam are working with Volunteer Now to offer a fully funded workshop, delivered through the Young People’s Gambling Harm Prevention Programme. This workshop is aimed at professionals who work with children or young people. One completion you will receive a City & Guilds Certificate and Digital Credential, and have access to over 1000 resources, including […]
Read More
Gaming & Gambling Awareness & Information Sessions
15 May 2024
Ygam is an award-winning charity with a mission to prevent children and young people from experiencing gaming and gambling harms through awareness raising, education and research. Through a portfolio of evidence-based programmes, they develop and deliver training and resources for a range of groups who have influence over children and young people. Ygam are delivering […]
Read More
Closing the Gaps: Collaborating on Voluntary & Community Sector Research in Northern Ireland
15 May 2024
The Voluntary Sector Studies Network, Volunteer Now, NICVA, ARK, Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University are delighted to jointly host a symposium to explore pathways to collaborating on voluntary and community sector (VCS) research in Northern Ireland. Date: Tuesday 25 June 2024 Time: 10am-3.45pm Venue: NICVA, 61 Duncairn Gardens, Belfast, BT15 2GB Research within and […]
Read More
Would you like to support people who have served in the Armed Forces?
9 May 2024
Would you like to support people who have served in the Armed Forces? You don’t need a military background, just the ability to listen, some basic I.T skills and good written and spoken English. If so, this could be the role for you. What is a caseworker? SSAFA are the Armed Forces Charity , providing […]
Read More
Inclusion in Volunteer Programmes – Toolkit
7 May 2024
This toolkit has been designed to support volunteer involving organisations in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to make their volunteer programmes more inclusive. It was designed based on data collected from individual interviews and a focus group carried out with volunteering organisations North and South. This was part of an all-island research project […]
Read More
FREE SESSION: Re-Imagining Volunteering for Broader Participation
25 April 2024
As involvement in formal volunteering decreases, and people seek more informal and flexible ways to contribute to their causes, charities need to adjust to this challenge. This requires a little disruptive and creative thinking, to reimagine involvement in the charities in new ways that are attractive to differing audiences. We are delighted to welcome Chris […]
Read More
Inclusion in Volunteer Programmes – New Research Report
23 April 2024
Volunteer Ireland and Volunteer Now have launched a new research report looking at inclusion in volunteering. The research was conducted by Dublin City University and Queens University Belfast. The work was funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs, through the Shared Island Civic Society Fund (SICSF). The report explores the experiences of a range of […]
Read More
Face-to-Face Training Dates
19 April 2024
Did you know we are now offering some face-to-face safeguarding training? We still have online sessions but on certain dates, you can book in-person training. The courses below are what is currently available and where. To find out more and see the dates and venues, please click here bit.ly/VNSafeguardingCourses Keeping Children Safe: Designated Officer Training: […]
Read More
