30 August 2023

Ahead of the world’s largest gathering of young leaders taking place in Belfast this October, we are putting a call out for volunteers to help roll out a giant welcome to Northern Ireland. Welcoming more than 2,000 young leaders from 190 countries, the One Young World Belfast summit (2-5 October 2023) will represent four life-changing […]

21 August 2023

In today’s rapidly evolving world, the landscape of volunteering is undergoing a transformation.  Are you ready to seize the opportunity and engage a new wave of volunteers effectively?  We are delighted to partner with Martin J Cowling and Rob Jackson to bring you Discovering the Power of Volunteering for International Volunteer Manager’s Day in November!  It will take […]

8 August 2023

7 August 2023

Each year volunteers join National Trust in caring for the Giant’s Causeway.  There are plenty of roles that are rewarding and help to look after this nationally important place.  Find out how you can volunteer and help others to enjoy this UNESCO World Heritage site (click the link to find out more and to register)… […]

3 August 2023

In this edition of The Credit Union Pod (below), Barry Harrington & Mark Johnston, Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) speak with Denise Hayward, CEO, Volunteer Now and Nina Arwitz, CEO, Volunteer Ireland about the challenges and opportunities in volunteering for credit unions.  They discuss the trends/challenges in volunteering, struggles to recruit volunteers, corporate social […]

2 August 2023

Grief can be overwhelming.  Cruse Bereavement Support help people through one of the most painful times in life – with bereavement support, information and campaigning.  By joining their growing volunteer fundraising team you’ll help to raise awareness and vital funds to support bereaved people in Northern Ireland. They need volunteers throughout Northern Ireland to help […]

25 July 2023

If you’d like to support your local community by helping to ensure that people who are worried about or affected by dementia are aware of the support and advice services on offer, Alzheimer’s Society have just the role for you! Awareness Raising volunteers are needed to support local events, hold information stands, and display leaflets […]

20 July 2023

Look Good, Feel Better are dedicated to improving the quality of life & self-esteem of people in cancer treatment.   They are looking for people with a skincare and/or makeup background, either currently working in the beauty industry or retired, for their workshops which support people with a cancer diagnosis to help them manage the physical […]

19 July 2023

by Denise Hayward, Chief Executive, Volunteer Now Volunteers are a huge part of the many community, arts and sports events which are taking place over the next few months. Many organisations involve volunteers in their events and could not run them without the help of their volunteers.  Volunteer Now worked with Tourism NI to create […]

10 July 2023

NI Chest Heart & Stroke need volunteers to help NICHS staff with walking groups for service users living with a heart condition.   A staff member will lead the walk and you will support them and walk with the group.  Routes for walking groups are flat, friendly and accessible to people who need some support to […]

7 July 2023

Continuing to build upon the progress already achieved in pursuit of empowering change within our communities, Good Relations Week 2023 returns from Monday 18th to Sunday 24th September 2023. This year’s event will embody the spirit of togetherness as we celebrate the remarkable peace-building and cultural diversity efforts to tackle sectarianism, racism, and inequality across […]

26 June 2023

Celebrating the outstanding work of local volunteer groups across the UK Following the Accession of King Charles III, The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service will now become The King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS). Every day, millions of people across the UK are making a difference by volunteering.  Each year, outstanding examples of this work […]

23 June 2023

by Andrew Hanna, Research & Information Officer, Volunteer Now The Voluntary & Community Sector: A Qualitative Study Investigating the Impact of the Cost-of-Living Crisis Volunteer Now has been undertaking a piece of qualitative research over the past 9 months, aiming to discover how organisations adapted and found their experience of the cost-of-living crisis. Organisations selected […]

20 June 2023

Deafblind Awareness Week is 26th June to 2nd July and Deafblind UK are asking everyone to tune in to their sight and hearing! This means being aware of changes and looking out for signs of deterioration in yourself and others. During the week, they’ll be sharing information about the early signs of sight and hearing […]

15 June 2023

Today is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.  Ruth Mulholland, our Safeguarding Manager has a few words to say about safeguarding culture within organisations – please listen to our ask, sign the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse Declaration to demonstrate your commitment to safeguard, and help stop the abuse of older people http://www.inpea.net/ […]

7 June 2023

The Marmalade Trust is the UK’s leading loneliness charity offering support for all ages and the only charity in the world specifically dedicated to raising awareness of loneliness. They first launched Loneliness Awareness Week (‘LAW’) in 2017 and it grows in momentum each year across the UK and internationally. This years Loneliness Awareness Week takes place from […]

7 June 2023

Local groups and businesses are urged to participate in the annual Community Relations Council event taking place this September Good Relations Week 2023 is in preparation mode with a mission to embody the spirit of togetherness as it celebrates peace-building and cultural diversity in its annual contribution  to eradicating sectarianism, racism, and inequality across the […]

7 June 2023

HMS Caroline is marking National Volunteer Week (1 – 7 June) by celebrating the dedicated team of volunteers who continue to play a key role in preserving Belfast’s historic First World War ship – a landmark in the city for 100 years and now a unique ‘must-see’ visitor attraction. HMS Caroline volunteers play an important […]

22 May 2023

by Denise Hayward, Chief Executive, Volunteer Now Volunteering was to the fore as a theme during the celebrations for the Coronation of King Charles earlier this month.  The publicity surround the Big Help Out helped to shine a light on the vital role that volunteers are playing every day in our communities.  Over the past […]

15 May 2023

No doubt you saw and read lots of coverage about the Big Help Out across the Coronation weekend. The aim of the Big Help out was to inspire and encourage people to volunteer and give a little bit of time to organisations just like yours.  #iwill ambassadors Corin and Colt attended the Coronation Big Lunch […]

11 May 2023

The council-led funding is available until the end of May Community-based organisations are being asked to share their ideas for projects that revitalise overlooked rural and urban spaces and build pride in communities. The Smalls Grants Scheme, managed by the Live Here Love Here campaign, is open for applications from 11 May to 31 May, […]

28 April 2023

Did you know its Global Intergenerational Week this week?  Global Intergenerational Week, is a campaign connecting everyone who is passionate about everything intergenerational.  It is now in its fourth year and we are so excited as this year it is bigger and better than ever with 15 countries participating! The week runs from 24 April […]

28 April 2023

Following the Accession of King Charles III, The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service will now become The King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS). The King’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest Award given to local volunteer groups across the UK to recognise outstanding work done in their own communities.  It is the MBE for […]

19 April 2023

Congratulations to Lagan Search and Rescue who have been formally presented with their Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service!  Their success had been announced in June 2022. A truly inspirational group of volunteers, they have literally saved countless lives since their inception over 10 years ago.  They are the last recipient of this award in Northern […]

17 April 2023

The Clearer Water Antrim Coast Half Marathon is an event building in stature and calibre year-on-year and has been approved by World Athletics as an Elite event.  It will take place on Sunday 27 August 2023, kicking off from the Chaine Memorial Tower in Larne.  The Classic Street Mile & Kids Race will take place […]

30 March 2023

In this exciting regional initiative, the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) plan to involve service users and members of the public as Inspection Support Volunteers, initially in the Care Homes setting.  This will enhance opportunities to listen to the lived experience of service users,  their families and carers as a vital part of the […]

29 March 2023

Volunteer Now launches new campaign to celebrate and inspire more volunteers ahead of Volunteers’ Week 2023 With just over two months to go until Volunteers’ Week 2023, taking place 1-7 June, Volunteer Now is calling on communities and businesses to give volunteering a go and be the change that we want to see as it […]

29 March 2023

Have you 2 hours each week to share with a group of adults who have an acquired brain injury? Headway is the leading UK charity providing help and support to adults affected by acquired brain injury and they need volunteers to help with their weekly sessions at groups throughout Northern Ireland. You will learn a […]

28 March 2023

*This is now a hybrid event* Impact the world without impacting the planet As the world commits to achieving Net Zero status, what does this mean for volunteering? Join Martin J Cowling and Volunteer Now for a thought provoking and engaging free seminar that will consider the four cases (see below) for Net Zero volunteering, potential […]

21 March 2023

by Andrew Hanna, Research & Information Officer, Volunteer Now Volunteer Now is currently undertaking a 9-month study designed to understand the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on volunteering.  This blog summarises the findings from the second set of interviews, completed in February 2023.  For a summary of interview 1 findings, click here: https://www.volunteernow.co.uk/volunteering-the-impact-of-the-cost-of-living-crisis/. WHAT DID […]