£3m boost for volunteer funding scheme

Volunteers are set to make a difference for local communities with up to £2.93 million being made available from the government's Community Volunteering Scheme.

Social Development Minister David Hanson today announced that 27 community groups throughout Northern Ireland, will share £2,216,000 over the next three years, providing key support for projects targeting issues such as mental health, disability, the environment, young people and the elderly.

A further £714,900 will be available through the Small Grants section of the Scheme.

Commenting on the funding, the Minister Social Development said: "There are more than 448,000 volunteers in Northern Ireland helping make real improvements to the quality of life for themselves and others within their local communities through environmental, economic and social projects.

"Through the Community Volunteering Scheme, the Department for Social Development offers local and regional groups vital support to attract future volunteers and to enhance the skills and opportunities of those already keen to participate in community development."

The main aim of the funding is to provide support towards salaries and running costs, volunteer expenses and the cost of equipment used in the delivery of the volunteering project.

The Community Volunteering Scheme is administered by the Volunteer Development Agency on behalf of the Department for Social Development.

The Small Grants section of the scheme will offer grants of up to £1,000 per year to small, locally based voluntary or community organisations that involve volunteers in their work and will be administered and distributed by Northern Ireland's 15 volunteer centres.

(EF/SP)