Ritchie praises the work of Ballymena volunteers

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA today paid tribute to the work of volunteers at the Hope Centre in Ballymena.

Visiting the Centre, which provides support for people with drug and alcohol addictions and their families, the minister said: “The abuse of drugs and alcohol can bring misery and tragedy to families. The volunteers at the Hope Centre can offer the support to tackle and overcome these addictions.”

As part of the Volunteers Week celebrations Minister Ritchie presented certificates to many of the centre’s volunteers and thanked them for their work. She said: “Volunteering has an effect on us all and is a cornerstone of our society and our communities. There is no doubt that the volunteers at the Hope Centre are making a real difference to the lives of people struggling with addictions that can devastate their lives and the lives of their families.”

The minister also praised the board and staff at the centre for the work they are doing to recognise the contribution of their volunteers. She said: “The Hope Centre, like many organisations, is dependent on its volunteers to deliver services. Volunteer recognition and excellence in volunteer management will form a key part of a new Volunteering Strategy that I will be consulting on this autumn.”

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