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 Winter 2023
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
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by Denise Hayward, Co-Chair Joint Forum – on behalf of the VCS Panel The Joint Forum was set up in 1988 to promote regular dialogue between the Voluntary and Community Sector and Departments of the NI Government. The forum is made up of public sector representatives and a Voluntary and Community Sector Panel (VCS Panel) […]
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Belfast is celebrating its older volunteers
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Volunteers make the world a better place for all of us. They share their time, skills, knowledge, and experience to make a positive difference in the places people live, learn, work, and relax. Volunteers contribute to the resilience of our communities and are the backbone of a compassionate and caring city. In recognition of this […]
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King’s Award for Voluntary Service Congratulations!
14 November 2023
Congratulations to 9 volunteer groups in Northern Ireland that are among the recipients of the first King’s Award for Voluntary Service 2023! The King’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest civil Award given to local volunteer groups across the UK to recognise outstanding work done in their own communities. 262 Awardees from across the […]
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