The Minister met with volunteers at the Slieve Donard Hotel in Newcastle today where she thanked them for the tremendous contribution they have made to the work of Home-Start.
Speaking during Volunteer's Week Margaret Ritchie said: "I want to pay tribute to the many volunteers with Home-Start whose commitment and dedication have helped so many families across Northern Ireland. Their efforts have supported families and helped combat the very real feelings of stress and isolation often associated with bringing up a young family.”
Dorothy McMullan, Senior Organiser based at Home-Start, Downpatrick in Down District said: “Volunteers are the life-blood of Home-Start and a lifeline to all of the families we support. There has been a dramatic increase in the number of families being referred to Home-Start all over Northern Ireland by health professionals as a direct result of the current economic climate and we desperately need new volunteers to work with us.”
“Our Volunteer’s Day Celebrations- is Home Start’s way of thanking our volunteers for the invaluable work that they do in the local community and this will encourage our volunteers to continue to support families that feel isolated and alone and enable us to build more stable and confident families for the future.”
As part of the event, local breakfast cereal processor White’s presented Home-Start volunteers and trustees with certificates in recognition of their work for the charity. White’s recently announced a three year partnership with Home-Start to provide financial support which will be used to drive the charity’s volunteer recruitment and training programme.
Notes to Editors:
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