On 03 September 2009, the Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NIGLA) held a volunteering consultation event for local government in partnership with the Volunteer Development Agency and the Volunteer Services Bureau. This event highlights the important contribution that local government makes to volunteering while also provided a forum to discuss the DSD’s Join In, Get Involved: Build a Better Future.

Cllr John Mathews, incoming NILGA president stated: “Today is a valuable opportunity for local government to develop a cohesive response to Join In, Get Involved: Build a better Future. Such a response is vital if local government is to be given a real voice in the legislative and policy making processes of central government.

Today marks an exciting step in the future of council work with volunteer organisations. By building partnerships with these organisations we can utilise volunteers to their fullest potential.”

Speaking at the event Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie urged councils to consider the important role they can play in supporting and developing volunteering locally.

Also speaking at the event was Cllr Ewan Aitkin from Edinburgh City who offered the event’s guests an insight into how Edinburgh has achieved their success, and Wendy Osborne of the Volunteer Development Agency.

For further information please contact Claire Bradley, Policy Assistant, by email at c.bradley@nilga.org or by telephone 028 9079 8972 or 0772591513.