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Millennium Volunteers
People always ask me what is this Millennium Volunteer thing I keep going on about? I tell them it’s great (but then being the MV Project Worker I’m paid to say that) and if you’re 16-24 years it’s not difficult to get your hands on an award.
The idea is to make a commitment to volunteering for a number of hours over a year. Not good with commitment??? We can offer flexible opportunities that can fit around the other things that you have going on in your life!
Then make a plan, meet with a member of the team to talk about what you can get into. It might be a community-based opportunity like Habitat for Humanity or The HIV Support Centre, a YCIA group project like ‘Sex, Drugs, Rock and Dough’ or even a mixture of the two. It’s amazing what you can get involved in. Previous MV’s have volunteered with local radio, environmental organisations, football clubs, youth clubs, older people and more..........
Already volunteering? You can stay in your current placement; you don’t need to take anything extra on, unless you want to.
Then simply get on with it. While you’re volunteering you’ll have the support of YCIA staff who’ll check with you from time to time to make sure your placement is working out. If it’s not you can change what you’re doing.
If you need further help or information, you can also contact staff at anytime.
You’ll also make new friends and (we hope) have fun. When you complete your commitment you get an Award of Excellence and a Profile of Achievement that you can use to let everyone know what you’ve been up to (looks good on the old cv as well if that’s what you’re after).
Congratulations! You are then a Millennium Volunteer and you’ve joined the ranks of thousands of young people, including most of the people in this mag, who have made a commitment to volunteering through the programme.
That’s it. It’s that easy and there’s no cost to you. So if you’re volunteering or thinking of getting involved why not contact me at roisin@vsb.org.uk or on 028 90200850
Young Citizens in Action Profile:
My name is Jonny Currie and I am 21 years old.
I completed the Millennium Volunteers scheme while working at the Link family and Community Centre in Newtownards. It was a natural progression for me as I used to go to the Link all the time as a teenager and loved the place. Every Wednesday afternoon I help to run the youth drop-in. My responsibilities include; manning the tuck shop, losing spectacularly at pool, enduring the same CDs being played over and over again, and building relationships with the young people.
I have really benefited personally from the excellent volunteer training that The Link offers and feel a real sense of acceptance and belonging there. Having been born in Newtownards and lived in the town all my life, I am really proud to be associated with The Link and the work that it does in the community.
