Want to recognise your older volunteers? Belfast City Council wants to help you!

If your organisation involves volunteers aged 60 and over, why not nominate them for the Age-friendly Belfast Older Volunteer Awards 2016? The Awards recognise and celebrate the difference older volunteers make to the work of groups and organisations across the city. 

 Belfast City Council is offering groups and organisations this opportunity in order to highlight the impact that older peoples' volunteering makes to life in the city.

This year's award categories are:

 1. The Older Volunteer of the Year Award: this award recognises an individual volunteer who you feel has made a real difference to the work you do over the last year, October 2015 to September 2016. Examples of this may include

• A volunteer who has introduced a new way of doing things and so improved the service delivery.

• A volunteer who has inspired or brought new enthusiasm to existing volunteers and/or staff.

 2. Marie Mathews Participation Award: this award aims to recognise a volunteer who embodies the true spirit of volunteering . Examples of this may include

• A  volunteer who participates across a number of different volunteer roles or for a number of different groups and organisations

• A volunteer whose contribution actively encourages others to get involved. This can be other volunteers or new service users.

• A volunteer whose length of service deserves to be recognised

 3. Health and Well-being: this award aims to recognise a volunteer who is involved in a project which improves physical, mental or emotional health. For example

• A volunteer who delivers a physical health project such as danderball or a walking project.

• A volunteer involved in a project to reduce social isolation and increase social opportunities for those at risk of isolation

• A voluteer who is involved in a project to improve mental well-being.

 4. Creativity and Culture: this award recognises a volunteer who makes a difference through the arts, culture or creative projects. Examples of this may include

• A volunteer who is involved in making the arts and culture more accessible to people

• A volunteer who is involved in a community festival or community arts project.

• A volunteer who passes on their knowledge and skills in the area of arts and crafts

 5. Team or group: this category celebrates 2 or more volunteers who are involved in the same project, programme or service within an organisation. Examples here might be

• A group of volunteers working in the same charity shop

• A team of volunteers who  lead on fund raising for a group

• A group of volunteers who do information talks on behalf of your organisation

• A group of volunteers engaged in an intergenerational project

Supported by Volunteer Now, the Older Volunteer Awards are an opportunity for groups and organisations to shine a light on their older volunteers and highlight the difference their volunteering makes both to the group and to the city.

Nomination forms and guidance notes are available at www.belfastcity.gov.uk/volunteering, where you can also nominate online. 

The deadline for nominations is Friday 21 October. For more information or a nomination form call 028 9032 0202 ext 3775 or e mail [email protected]