Speaking at the Praxis Care Befriender Awards ceremony in Cookstown, the minister said: “Praxis volunteers have helped alleviate the social exclusion and isolation experienced by people in our community who suffer mental ill health.”
As part of the Volunteers Week celebrations Minister Ritchie presented long service certificates to befrienders who had volunteered with Praxis Care for five, ten, 15 and 20 years. Thanking 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 volunteer befrienders at Praxis Care are making a real difference to the lives of people coping with learning difficulties and various forms of mental ill health.”
The minister also praised the board and staff of Praxis Care for the work they are doing to recognise the contribution of their volunteers. She said: “Praxis Care, 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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