AIVC...
...
RETURN A BIGGER INVESTMENT THAN A FTSE 100 COMPANY
As part of Volunteer’s Week 2011, which celebrates the selfless dedication of volunteers in improving our communities and making positive differences in people’s lives, the Minister for Social Development, Nelson McCausland MP, today accepted the highly anticipated Impact Assessment report from the Association of Independent Volunteer Centres, the big hitters of the Northern Ireland community & voluntary sector.
The contribution of one volunteer is invaluable to the person receiving their support, however the AIVC Impact Assessment report, commissioned to independent third sector specialists Copius Consulting, provides a detailed examination on how each of its five volunteer centres, covering the Causeway, Limavady, Omagh, Cookstown, Magherafelt, Craigavon and Banbridge areas, have contributed massively to their local communities.
Having received a funding investment of £405,809 from the Department for Social Development Volunteer Bureau Initiative in 2010, through just five volunteer centres the AIVC have used this investment to this year provide an exceptional total of 81,408 voluntary hours to support those in need, saving local Government over £7.3million in direct employment related pay; representing an enormous 1704% return on investment to our local communities - a truly staggering performance that outshines even the highest profile companies of the FTSE 100.
Monica Coyle of Omagh Volunteer Centre explained, “In the face of looming funding cuts, more and more people in need will depend on the support of volunteers. The Impact Assessment report very clearly highlights the strength of AIVC in delivering this support and how our model continues to make such massive differences to people’s lives and our wider communities.”
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland said: "I look forward to reading the report from the Association of Independent Volunteer Centres in more detail. The work of volunteers in Northern Ireland is very important in helping support our local communities. I look forward to engaging with a range of Northern Ireland volunteer groups about promoting their work in the future."
Speaking with the Minister at Stormont, Damien Corr, Chairman of the AIVC, said “We at AIVC are incredibly proud of the achievements of our volunteers in delivering 81,408 hours of support to our local communities, to a value of more than £7.3million. The 1704% return on investment we have delivered in truly fantastic. We are delighted these achievements and the Impact Assessment report of the AIVC are being recognised today by the Minister for Social Development. We look forward to the future, continuing to make such positive differences in people’s lives.”
If you are interested in helping your local community, or would like the support of a local volunteer, please visit www.aivcni.co.uk
Click here to download the Impact Report in pdf format (it's a big file 4MB so it will tkae a couple of mintues depending on your connection speed).
AIVC Volunteer Strategy Action Plan for Consultation
As a result of the work of the Association of Independent Volunteer Centres, a Volunteer Strategy Action Plan has been devised and Causeway Volunteer Centre, as a network member, would like to include you in the process.
To view the Action Plan PDF, please click here.
We would greatly appreciate if you could consider the actions and decide if they are viable and if you would like to add /subtract please let us know.
The closing date for all responses is Friday 5th August 2011.
Please send your responses to janene@causewayvc.org or ml@causewayvc.org.
Thank you for your help.
