Volunteering Information

"If you want to change the world, be that change." - Mahatma Gandhi

Who are we? - What do we do?
The Volunteer Centre was set up in mid 2001 to fill a need in the local communities of Ballymena and Larne. It was the final Centre to be established with core funding from the Department of Social Development through the Volunteer Development Agency. We have also received funding from the Awards for All scheme.

We aim to promote voluntary action in our local area in a number of ways:

• encouraging and motivating people to volunteer
• contacting local community and voluntary groups to find out what help they need
• matching the right volunteer to the right opportunity
• providing training and advice for volunteers
• providing training and advice for groups who involve volunteers, especially small or new organisations
• helping with out-of-pocket expenses and organising social events for volunteers, as well as a volunteer newsletter

Got time to spare? - Want to make a difference?
As a volunteer, you will have the chance to make a difference, however small. You don't have to have experience, you just need to be ready, willing and able to get involved.

Information

• We'll do the legwork - we have a database of volunteer opportunities which is growing all the time. You can come in to talk to us and we'll be able to match your skills and knowledge to the most appropriate organisation for you

Advice

• Even if you're not sure what you want to do, we can advise you on the different types of volunteering and help you decide what suds you best

Expenses

• You can also get help with any out-of-pocket expenses so that volunteering doesn't become a financial burden

Training

• If training is required, we can help with the cost of courses and sometimes provide training ourselves

Con the Volunteer Centre help your group?
You can access a number of services from the Centre:

• Support, advice and information on policy issues - child protection, managing volunteers and other areas of good practice
• Training on involving volunteers, e.g. recruitment, ongoing support, procedures etc
• Access to volunteers - we'll help you find and keep them
• Access to volunteering schemes such as Timebank and Employer Supported Volunteering
• Help with developing new projects involving volunteers and meeting local needs
• The opportunity to participate in Volunteer's Week which takes place every year
• Access to a Small Grants Programme (the Community Volunteering Scheme) that provides funding for groups involving volunteers

People become volunteers for all sorts of reasons:

• "I saw a need in the community."
• "I had time to spare."
• "To serve my own needs and those of people 1 know."
• "I felt a moral duty to help."
• "it gives me a chance to do something I'm good at."
• "I wanted to meet people."
• "To uphold my social and political principles."
• "It's connected to my paid job."
• "To learn new skills and access training."
• "I wanted to structure my day"

Whatever your motivation, the Ballymena & Larne Volunteer Centres can help you get the most out of volunteering.

Why not GET INVOLVED?
Contact the Ballymena and Larne Volunteer Centres to find out how you can get into volunteering.