Attwood gives support to Enniskillen volunteers

Social Development Minister Alex Attwood today visited Enniskillen to launch the local Neighbourhood Renewal Volunteering Report.

The report, prepared by Volunteer Now, identifies:

• the existing provision of volunteering in Enniskillen;
• volunteering needs in the area;
• training for volunteers including child protection, mentoring and training for working with older and vulnerable people; and
• the need to establish a Timebank for the area.

The report also recommends that an information leaflet be provided to inform the community of the volunteering services on offer within the Enniskillen Neighbourhood Renewal Area.

Alex Attwood said: “This project will help support and promote volunteering within the Enniskillen Neighbourhood Renewal Area. Volunteers play an essential role in developing communities. They are often unsung heroes – helping in many diverse ways to make our town, cities and countryside better. I am extremely impressed with the work that has been undertaken by Volunteer Now in producing this report.”

Wendy Osbourne, Chief Executive of Volunteer Now said of the work to date: “At a time of economic recession, when there is an increased expectation placed on voluntary activity to meet local need, this is a significant piece of work which highlights and helps us understand how and why individuals in an area of disadvantage engaged in voluntary activity. The lessons from this audit may have a resonance for the development of civic engagement in Neighbourhood Renewal Areas.”

Cllr Frank Britton, Chairperson of Enniskillen Neighbourhood Partnership said: “I welcome the publication of this audit of volunteering, the first of its kind in Northern Ireland. The benefits of volunteering are highlighted: people overcoming isolation, gaining new skills, making friendships, giving something back to their communities."

"Volunteering is one of the key factors which will improve community renewal within the Neighbourhood Renewal area, leading to one of the desired outcomes from our action plan here in Enniskillen, which is 'a confident community committed to working together for the benefit of all residents'. We would like to build on the opportunities offered by the findings of this report and find local placements for the 89 participants who expressed an interest in volunteering. These volunteers have the potential to make lasting beneficial changes to our community here in Enniskillen.”

The report was commissioned by the Enniskillen Neighbourhood Partnership and funded by the Department for Social Development.

Notes to editors:

1. The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy “People and Place” was published in June 2003 to close the gap between the quality of life for people in the most deprived neighbourhoods and the rest of society. The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy has four interlinking objectives:
   Community Renewal – to develop confident communities that are able and committed to improving the quality of life in their areas.
   Economic Renewal – to develop economic activity in the most deprived neighbourhoods and connect them to the wider urban economy.
   Social Renewal – to improve social conditions for the people who live in the most deprived neighbourhood through better co-ordinated public services and the creation of safer environments.
   Physical Renewal - to help create attractive, safe and sustainable environments in the most deprived neighbourhoods.
2. The total amount of funding committed to the Enniskillen Neighbourhood Renewal Area to date is £780,000.
3. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 90829496. Out of office please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699715440 and your call will be returned.