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Over 300 young people aged 16-24 received their ‘Award of Excellence’ from Caitríona Ruane, Minister for Education at a ceremony in Elmwood Hall, Belfast this week.
The ceremony, organised by the Volunteer Development Agency, provided the opportunity to recognise all those young people who participated in the Millennium Volunteers programme and volunteered for over 200 hours.
Millennium Volunteers: Millennium Volunteers is a UK wide initiative designed to promote and recognise sustained volunteering among young people aged 16–24. The Millennium Volunteers programme was launched in Northern Ireland in 1999 and has offered opportunities for more than 4,000 young people to gain their ‘Awards of Excellence’. Following the success of the first nine years, further funding has been allocated to deliver the programme.
The Millennium Volunteers programme aims to offer challenges and opportunities for young people to participate, learn and develop; set a standard for volunteering opportunities for young people; increase recognition for volunteering as an expression of citizenship; and make a positive impact within local communities.
Millennium Volunteers is designed to promote and recognise sustained volunteering among young people aged 16–24. 321 young people each volunteered for at least 200 hours bringing the total hours volunteered to an amazing 64,200. To date over four thousand 4,000 young people in Northern Ireland have participated in the programme.
Speaking at the event Caitríona Ruane, Minister for Education said, "I would like to congratulate all of the volunteers here today and everyone involved in the Millennium Volunteers programme. The personal commitment and enthusiasm you have all displayed by giving up your free time is commendable. This is about building true leadership and contributing to confident, creative and articulate young citizens. Máith Sibh."
Wendy Osborne OBE, Director of the Volunteer Development Agency said, “The contribution these young people make to their local communities is remarkable. Not only are they making a difference to lives in their own area they are also gaining valuable experience and skills for their own future. The wide range of volunteering roles available enables young people to volunteer in areas that interest and matter to them.”
Jonathan Guckian, a participant in the Millennium Volunteers programme gave a talk on his experience. He stated that, “In education, pupils volunteering contributes so much to a fuller learning experience, preparing us better for real life and equipping us with more and more relevant skills. As far as participation goes; is there any better illustration of active citizenship than volunteering - making a contribution to your community, playing your part for the benefit of others?”
If you are interested in participating in the Millennium Volunteers programme go to www.volunteering-ni.org, or for further information contact Maria McBride, 
tel: 028 9081 8327.
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