• Volunteer Week is a campaign that aims to encourage businesses and individuals to volunteer their time and skills for good causes, and celebrates the positive impact that volunteering makes for charities, businesses and volunteers
• Volunteer week runs from Monday 3 to Friday 7 June 2019
• Business in the Community are offering volunteering opportunities to employees
• Power NI are sponsoring BITCNIs Volunteer Week campaign in 2019

Denise Cranston, Head of Communities, BITCNI, said: “The people of Northern Ireland are renowned for their generosity and, when it comes to donating their time and skills in support of great causes, we know we can rely on businesses and individuals here to step up and take action.

“Charities often rely on the support of volunteers to enable them to continue their work, so it’s very important that we use Volunteer Week to highlight the positive stories and highlight the difference that can be made through the power of volunteering.

“We are delighted that Power NI have decided to sponsor the BITCNI Volunteer Week campaign in 2019 and hope that this partnership will build on the already successful Employer Supported Volunteering programmes we have to offer, and raise awareness of the benefits – to businesses, employees and charities – of making time to volunteer.”

During Volunteer Week, BITCNI will be showcasing the best of Employer Supported Volunteering from across Northern Ireland. The campaign encourages organisations to bring colleagues together and help with a community project, commit to regular volunteering, and thank volunteers and stakeholders on social channels using the hashtag #PowerofVolunteering.

BITCNI facilitates Employer Supported Volunteering, developing links between business, charities and community groups through volunteering projects across NI that can range from gardening and painting, to teaching code to local school children.

Stephen McCully, Managing Director, Power NI, said: “Power NI is dedicated to giving back to the communities where we work and volunteering helps us engage with those organisations that share a common goal, to make Northern Ireland a better place to work and live.

“We are proud to sponsor Volunteer Week in 2019 and hope the campaign will bring attention to the opportunities that businesses have to engage with charities, not only during the campaign, but throughout the year.

“Volunteering has provided our staff with practical opportunities for teambuilding, engaging with their community and developing new skills, so there’s a lot to gain with a day or two out of the office. I hope businesses across NI will be inspired by Volunteer Week, as so much can be achieved through the power of volunteering.”

For more information on how to get involved in Volunteer Week visit www.bitcni.org.uk/events, contact andy.nisbett@bitcni.org.uk or call 028 9046 0606.