Volunteers celebrate in Belfast

Since 1967 some 50,000 people have passed through the doors of VSB on a personal quest to volunteer their individual skills and service to the community. In this time, and most memorably during the more turbulent years for Belfast, VSB became synonymous with many vital community projects

VSB in the community

Each summer during the 60s and 70s VSB made a difference to the lives of children across Belfast. The play buses brought back fun and laughter to children in areas with a severe lack of play resources. Inaddition, the 100 highly successful Playschemes, in partnership with local communities, really made a difference right across the city.

The furniture scheme supplied items of second hand furniture to those most affected by social deprivation and a removal service, also run by VSB, often offered the only lifeline to families facing intimidation.

Volunteer accolades

Margaret Ritchie, Minister for Social Development, took part in a presentation of ‘Volunteer Accolades’ to highlight the outstanding range of volunteering over the last 40 years throughout the city.

"I congratulate the Voluntary Service Bureau on its 40th anniversary. The hard work of its volunteers over the decades has provided much-needed support to some of the must vulnerable people in our community. It would be hard to underestimate the value of volunteering in sustaining and enriching society."

"My department recognises the importance of volunteering and is developing a new volunteering strategy for Northern Ireland. Our research has confirmed the importance of acknowledging the work of volunteers. It is my pleasure tonight to recognise some of most outstanding and inspirational contributions by presenting these accolades."

"Volunteering can be enhanced by good volunteer management and good practice. We are working closely in partnership with the sector to develop our new strategy. This will help ensure that each volunteer has a good experience and that we work towards common goals."

Photographic exhibition

Guests at the celebration had the opportunity to view a photographic display of the range of volunteering VSB has been involved in over the years. During the darkest days of the troubles thousands of vital hours of voluntary work went on bravely and mainly quietly behind the scenes. This exhibition demonstrates the immense impact that a few hours of an individual’s time can and does make on the lives of so many.

From 11 June the exhibition will be displayed in The Sq Space Gallery at VSB, 34 Shaftesbury Square and the public is encouraged to come along and view it.

The importance of volunteering

There are an estimated 448,116 formal volunteers (voluntary work carried out with or under the auspices of an organisation) and 759,000 informal volunteers (voluntary work carried out outside an organisation, often at neighbourhood level, but outside the immediate family.)

The annual economic contribution of regular formal volunteers, based on the average wage of £9.03 is over £452 million per year.