BY AUSTIN LYNCH
The Volunteer Development Agency have just launched their fourth annual Volunteering Photo Competition with the help of Fermanagh Volunteer Centre. As in years previous, the competition hopes to catch the spirit of volunteering across Northern Ireland. It is part of Celebrate Belfast 2006, and is open to all amateur photographers.
The top prize is a £500 photography gift voucher and runners up will receive a £150 voucher.
Wendy Osborne, OBE, the Director of the Agency explained, "This year, the competition is about putting 'faces to places'. We want the competition entries to be a visual report of volunteering, focusing on the faces and places where volunteers make a difference. It's about celebrating our volunteers and communicating the diversity of their volunteering." Noel McAllister, a Senior Branch Manager with the Northern Bank, Enniskillen, who are a corporate partner for the photo competition, said the bank was delighted to be involved with an initiative which captured in pictures the vibrancy which local volunteers bring to their local communities.
The closing date for entries is Friday 10th November, and those looking for further information can visit www.volunteering-ni-org or call Hazel on 028 90818334 for an entry form.
The Volunteer Development Agency also used the same location and the same venue to launch a booklet, 'Spice Up your Life'.
It is aimed at anyone who wants to add a little excitement to their life by getting involved in volunteering. The booklet contains everything you need to know about giving time as a volunteer. 'Spice up your life' explains both what volunteering is and what it isn't.
The treasurer at Fermanagh Volunteer, Mary Ferguson commented, "The best thing about volunteering is that everyone can get involved.
'Spice up your life' aims to show potential volunteers that it is not all give, give, give, but that volunteers have fun, meet new friends, take on a challenge, develop new skills and become an active part of their community.
"Volunteering, from as little as on hour a week, means someone in the community will benefit."
Anyone interested in the new resource can request a copy of their local volunteer centre by calling 0800 0522212 or download the information from web-site.
