Volunteering in NI

Lovetotravel

I've got some free time on my hands and would like to volunteer with a local charity, ideally in an events management capacity or just general office work.

Can anyone suggest any worthwhile local charities I could approach? Preferably animal charities as I recently had to stop my financial contribution to my animal charities and I'm feeling a bit bad about it. I'm in the County Antrim area.

Thanks.

Ballymackeonan

Have a look at the search facility on

http://www.volunteernow.co.uk/

It might pull up some opportunities in your area.

drew2k9

you should visit the VSB, think it stands for volunteer service belfast. they help you to find something which will suit your abilities and that has the need for someone to do the jobs you want to do.

i have never used them myself, but my dad has, he does volunteering for mentally handicapped adults, hes an artist so he does art therapy type work, and they helped him to find the right place for him, he had experience as our family have fostered childeren of all types for around 13-14 years, and being an artist they found him something to suit his strengths, also they found a place within walking distance from our house!! (that wasnt improtant but obviously helped in the longrun).

so i would highly recommend you go to them. they are situated in shaftsbury square near speranzas. im sure they will have a website and a phone number if that helps too!

steveymp

Contact your local hospital, most of them have Volunteering co-ordinators now. Volunteers in hospitals play a pivotal and very worthwhile role for patients and visitors throughout the hospital, they provide a great service and the work itself is very rewarding to the volunteer. I know the hospital I work in is always interested in new volunteers.

donnac2558

But the OP wants to help animal charities.

Why not contact the local animal charities by phone and speak to someone.

Jaime-V

donnac2558 wrote: »

But the OP wants to help animal charities.

Why not contact the local animal charities by phone and speak to someone.

This is what I would do. Choose the charity YOU want to help as what is meaningful to someone else might not be to you and contact them directly. There are lots of animal charties here in NI. I volunteer for a charity and I contacted them directly.

Good luck!

drew2k9

if the OP specifies to the VSB that they are very much devoted to helping out in caring for animals then i am sure they could get them on their way to volunteering somewhere easily accessable and suited to their abilities.

go to www dot vsb dot org dot uk

pinkhammy

I know the OP is interested in helping out with animals, but I know that most youth clubs are always looking for volunteers, esp in the Ballymena, Antrim area. You could contact the local youth offices and they would guide you in the right direction also.

Good luck and hope you find something ;-)

Lobell

I have helped out at the Dogs Trust in Ballymena. Mainly walking the dogs which frees paid staff up to do other tasks. They're always looking for helpers - just give them a call.

You could also contact Mid Antrim Animal Sanctuary. I'm sure they're in need of volunteers too.

belfastgirl23

VSB are excellent, would highly recommend them - very nice and professional staff who will help you figure out the right type of volunteering activity for you taking full account of your wishes. They also make sure all the legal stuff is properly sorted out which takes a burden off the organisation you're volunteering with. Well worth a visit.

www.vsb.org.uk