The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Alderman Gerardine Mulvenna, has commended all of those who give up their time to help others, as communities across Northern Ireland celebrate Volunteers’ Week.
The past week saw the 39th year of Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June), and the Mayor has added her support to the thousands of charities and voluntary organisations recognising the contribution volunteers make across the entire UK. With this year’s theme of ‘Celebrate and Inspire’, Volunteer’s Week hopes to encourage people to get involved in volunteering in whatever way works for them.
Organisers say the contribution of volunteers is often unseen and unrecognised by many, visible only through the incredible impact of their volunteering, so taking the time during Volunteers’ Week to celebrate their efforts and all they contribute to our local communities, the voluntary sector and society as a whole has never been more important.
The Mayor said:
“I want to extend my thanks, both personally and on behalf of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, to all of our incredible volunteers right across the area.
“Volunteers’ Week provides us with an opportunity to recognise their selfless efforts and the lengths so many go to in order to help and support fellow members of our community.
“As Mayor, I see first-hand the excellent and often vital voluntary work undertaken in Mid and East Antrim and I want all of those involved to know how appreciated and cherished they are."
Each year, volunteers across Northern Ireland carry out work worth more than half a billion pounds and contribute £504 million to the local economy, according to Volunteer Now. Voluntary organisations in Northern Ireland do work worth more than half a billion pounds a year, says the same organisation.
To find out more, search for #VolunteersWeek