On Tuesday 18th September, clients, volunteers, trustees and staff came together for an information evening at Ulster Museum to acknowledge and celebrate the difference volunteers make to our vision of creating a society where everyone has a home.
Speaking at the event, Volunteer Coordinator, Rebekah McDonald thanked existing volunteers and welcomed those interested in joining the organisation:
Volunteers make a big difference to the lives of those experiencing homelessness. Whether the commitment be 2 hours per week or 2 hours per month, the impact made can have a lasting impact to those experiencing loneliness and isolation. Many of our volunteers come to us with existing skills and talents such as gardening, cookery or arts & crafts but equally as important are those volunteers who can make a great cup of tea and provide a listening ear.
On the night, Simon Community NI launched an ambitious 5-year volunteer strategy – containing five objectives that will see the organisation grow and develop it’s volunteer base to better meet the needs of those experiencing homelessness. They are:
- Establish a transformative volunteering programme
- Embed a culture of volunteering throughout the charity
- Encourage and promote the benefits and value of volunteering amongst clients
- Establish a robust infrastructure which supports and sustains the delivery of high-quality volunteering programme
- Evaluate and measure the impact of volunteering to identify areas for development and growth.
To find out more about volunteering at Simon Community NI download our information leaflet or apply for one of our current roles.
