Mid Ulster Day Opportunities service users benefit from the epic impact of volunteering

Day Opportunities service users from the Mid-Ulster area are making a difference in their communities by volunteering their time to help others.

Seven volunteers recently received an Empowering People In Communities (EPIC) Award in recognition of their efforts, made possible by a hugely successful partnership between the Northern Health and Social Care Trust and Mid Ulster Volunteer Centre.

As part of a commitment to encourage social inclusion and personal development, service users have thrived in a range of different settings, including an after-schools club for young people, a National Trust property and local charities.

The recipients who won Gold were Nigel Brown (Springhill Moneymore) and Karen Kearney (Parish Centre, Magherafelt).

Cathy McKillop, from Fairhill Youth Centre afterschool club, was awarded Silver while Bronze went to Bridget McNally (CDM Community Transport), Karen Stewart (Mid Ulster Volunteer Centre), Cheryl Glendinning (Esperanza charity shop) and Hester Henry (Lilac Cancer Support).

Explaining more, Briege McGillian, the Northern Trust’s Day Opportunities Co-ordinator, said: “We have developed numerous links within the community and voluntary sector, and our partnership with Mid Ulster Volunteer Centre has proven to be invaluable.

“We work with individuals and their families/carers to provide a package of community based opportunities tailored to their needs and aspirations, and our EPIC award recipients have benefited greatly from their voluntary roles.

“Volunteering is a great way to develop skills, improve employability, meet new people, boost your confidence and benefit our overall health and wellbeing.  Our service users have found it to be so enjoyable, and it’s great for the local community as well.

“I would like to congratulate our deserving EPIC award winners and express my thanks to all those who offer volunteering opportunities.”

Michele McKeown, Manager at Mid Ulster Volunteer Centre, added: “We are delighted to work in partnership with the Day Opportunities team to support those who want to volunteer, our Volunteer Co-ordinator Barbara has enjoyed working alongside the service users and staff in the Trust.”

“Our aim is to provide an inclusive initiative that recognises and rewards the contribution of volunteers in the community and promotes volunteering as a whole.

“The EPIC Volunteer Awards were first launched in 2022 by Volunteer Centres NI, and they help us to recognise and validate the contribution made by volunteers.  They are completely free, and open to volunteers of all ages and from all types of volunteering.”

EPIC awards are available in gold, silver and bronze, for those who have achieved either 200, 100, or 50 voluntary hours.

Among those to receive an award was Hester Henry, who volunteers at Lilac Cancer Support in Cookstown.

She said: “I love volunteering and meeting new people. I have learnt new skills and the staff and other volunteers have been very helpful.”

Further information about the EPIC Awards here or contact Mid Ulster Volunteer Centre on 028 79 301 862.