Mayor’s awards aim to recognise local volunteers

Speaking at the launch of the event, the Mayor of Lisburn, Alderman William Leathem, said: “The Mayor’s Awards for Volunteering has been a highly successful scheme developed by the Council’s Community Services Section.

“Providing well-deserved recognition to our local volunteers is our way of saying ‘thank you’ for all the hard work they do in the local community. Volunteering can take various forms and many projects and organisations would not exist without the help of volunteers. All aspects of community life benefit from volunteers.

“The 2013 scheme is now open for nominations so if you are aware of any group or individual who you think deserves recognition, please get in touch with the Bridge Community Centre to receive a nomination form and make sure you return your completed form by the closing date of Friday, March 22.”

The scheme, now in its eighth year, sees an additional category being added. The ‘Culture & Diversity Award’ invites nominations from groups seeking to promote cultural activities and understanding between their own culture and other cultures within the Lisburn City Council area.

Altogether there are seven categories for nominations:

1. Adult Volunteer of the Year Award

2. Young Volunteer of the Year Award

3. Supporting Volunteering Award (Large Group)

4. Supporting Volunteering Award (Small Group)

5. Newcomer Award (Large or Small Group)

6. Age Sector Award

7. Culture & Diversity Award

Lisburn City Council and its partner organisations: South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, Volunteer Now and the South Eastern Education and Library Board, would like to invite nominations for any of the above categories.

Nominations for each of the award categories will be accepted from individuals, community/voluntary and statutory representatives.

For further information or to receive a nomination pack please contact Miss Rhonda Frew, Community Development Officer, Bridge Community Centre on 028 9266 2496 or email: [email protected]

Nomination packs can also be downloaded from: www.lisburncity.gov.uk

The closing date for completed nomination forms is 4pm on Friday, March 22.