Community Projects
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Community projects includes a range of volunteer led services for some of the most vulnerable older people in our community. This includes befriending, driving, and shopping support services for isolated older people living in Belfast.
We also provide a volunteer transport service for the SEHSCT in Ards and North Down for ‘looked after’ children and younger people. If you would like more information on these projects visit the ‘Volunteer with us’ section.
Capacity Building Work
Volunteer Now also supports the network of volunteer led older persons groups and forums in Belfast through our capacity building work including:
The Greater Shankill Senior Citizens Forum – local forum for older people who live in the Greater Shankill area, the forum meets the 3rd Friday of the month at Shankill library. For more information on the Forum contact Deirdre Murphy
Volunteer Now coordinates a seniors page in the monthly edition of the Shankill Mirror , highlighting older peoples services, activities and events
West Belfast 50+ Forum – local forum for older people living in West Belfast, the forum meets the last Friday of the month at Springfield Charitable Association. For more information on the Forum contact Deirdre Murphy
G6 (Greater Belfast Seniors) – Volunteer Now supports the G6 made up of representative from the 6 senior citizens forum across Belfast. The G6 meets once a month and provides a platform for a co-ordinated voice of older people across the City.
This helps to sustain and strengthen a network of groups to combat growing social isolation and loneliness amongst older people by encouraging older people to take an active role in their communities. Dedicated volunteers are at the heart of community projects, showcasing how their efforts can make a positive difference to their lives, and to the lives of the most marginalised sections of our society.
Older and Active Programme
Community Projects through funding from PHA delivers a yearly activity programme for older people across Belfast, to encourage them to stay active and engaged. Activities include:-
Line dancing
Mens Health Day
Womens Health Day
Mens Volunteering Challenges
Men 2 Men publication
Support for older men’s groups through a small grant programme
Keep an eye on this page for up-and-coming events and information, or contact Pamela Higgins to be added to our mailing list
Newsletters
Read our latest Newsletters here:
Men2Men newsletter Winter 2023
Older Peoples Newsletter Spring 2024
Contact Us
If you are working in Belfast with older people in a statutory, community or voluntary capacity or you are an older person who would like to join an existing older persons group or you would like to start up a new group then contact:
Lindsay Armstrong, Community Projects Manager: Lindsay.Armstrong@volunteernow.co.uk
Deirdre Murphy, Capacity Building: Deirdre.Murphy@volunteernow.co.uk
Victoria O’Neill, Befriending: Victoria.o’neill@volunteernow.co.uk
Lauren Harrison-Hogan, Volunteer Driving & Shopping Support: Lauren.Harrison-Hogan@volunteernow.co.uk
Latest News
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 […]
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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: […]
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Volunteers are more satisfied with their lives!
18 April 2024
by Denise Hayward, Chief Executive, Volunteer Now New research from NISRA shows evidence for the link between volunteering and life satisfaction, self-efficacy and locus of control. The evidence shows that overall volunteering is a really positive activity for everyone. The report does not look at the reasons leading to these findings, it may be because […]
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Could you help to rebuild people’s lives after stroke?
18 April 2024
PREP is Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke’s physiotherapy led, community based course which helps rebuild people’s lives after stroke, through exercise and education. It is designed for stroke survivors who have completed the statutory rehabilitation that the health service offers to meet their longer term care needs, and they need volunteers to help with: – […]
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