Millennium Volunteers (MV)
Millennium
Volunteers (MV) is a government
programme which aims to promote and recognise a sustained commitment by
young people, aged 16 to 24, taking part in voluntary activity. Conservation
Volunteers Northern Ireland is a local project provider.
Introduction
In the mid 90's a survey of the voluntary and community sector revealed that there was a steady decline in the number of young people volunteering.
Consultations followed to identify the issues that were leading to this decline and to find new ways of encouraging more young people to volunteer. The nationwide Millennium Volunteers programme was a key output from this process.
In Northern Ireland the Volunteer Development Agency manages the Millennium Volunteers programme and opportunities to take part in it are offered by a range of organisations (Delivery Agents) who have met a series of Quality standards and 9 Key principles. Read more about this here
Since Millennium Volunteers was launched in 1999, thousands of young people have joined and gained personally, increasing their confidence, giving them the sense of satisfaction that you get from helping others, contributing to their communities and increasing public recognistion of the good work done by young people across the country.
CVNI is a delivery agent for the Millennium Volunteers programme and offers a wide range of environmental opportunities from each of its offices across Northern Ireland.
Why become a Millennium Volunteer?
What's in it for me?
- Learn new skills
- Meet new people
- Have a laugh
- Take on new challenges
- Impress employers
- Get onto a college course
- Make a difference to your community
Participation in Millennium Volunteers is fun. MV offers you the chance to enhance your social skills and meet new people. It will give you a sense of personal achievement, development and satisfaction. It helps you acquire some of the "soft skills" that employers value, for example, working as part of a team, communicating with others and developing initiative. It could help you gain the necessary experience to progress into a chosen career. The Awards are increasingly recognised and valued by colleges, universities and many employers throughout the country.
MV's aim to complete 200 hours of voluntary activity over a year but it is very flexible. You can arrange to do a few hours a week or build up your time at weekends. If you already have something in mind that you would like to do, even starting up your own project, then CVNI can help to arrange it and make sure you get the best out of it.
You will get recognition for the time and effort that you put in. After 50 hours you will receive a Certificate, at 100 hours you'll get an Award and after 200 hours, you'll get an Award of Excellence.
When you get your Award of Excellence we will organise a presentation event, so that you can celebrate your achievements.
You'll not be left out of pocket. Millennium Volunteers programme is free to join. We will pay your travel and other expenses, including childcare. If you're on benefits being an MV should not affect your entitlement.
MV on your CV
Whatever you do, it will look great on your CV. Your experience will give you that extra something to talk about at an interview. Your voluntary work will equip you with valuable skills that any employer will want to see. Employers know that Millennium Volunteers are people with motivation, dedication and the ability to work hard.
You decide
Millennium Volunteers lets you join an existing project or decide what you want to do in your own locality. It builds on your interests, experience and existing skills. It connects you with issues you care about and help you to make a positive difference. That's why MV's slogan is, "build on what you're into".
Whatever you're into CVNI can help find you an existing environmental volunteer opportunity that's right for you. We also welcome young people or groups with creative ideas who want to set up their own conservation projects. If you're already volunteering, registering with MV formally recognises your commitment and hard work.
Benefit to others
Any Millennium Volunteers programme must contribute to developing public perceptions of the value of voluntary activity and make a clear impact for good on local communities. CVNI has long been at the forefront of community activity and developing citizenship. We greatly value the skills, ideas and enthusiasm young people volunteering with us bring to the organisation. The MV programme has resulted in a number of projects which have had a very positive impact on the communities where they have been located. As the young people involved in these projects have gained in confidence from their successes it has lead to more challenging and ambitious ideas for new projects.This in turn has lead to a greater diversity of high quality opportunities within CVNI for young people.
Getting started
Do it now!
It couldn’t be simpler to become a MV.
Simply contact your nearest CVNI office
or the MV co-ordinator.
We'll arrange for you to meet with an MV Project
Worker. You and your Project Worker will have a chat about your interests,
hobbies and goals. The Project Worker will then outline the MV opportunities
available and you can decide which suits you best. You'll complete a simple
registration form and the Project Worker will give you an MV Portfolio,
which you'll use to keep as a record of your MV activity.
Then you're away!
Your Project Worker will stay in touch throughout your time on the programme and will be available for support and advice whenever you need it.
Should you wish to become a Millennium Volunteer, Karen Kane is our Millennium Volunteer Co-ordinator.
Address:
Conservation Volunteers Northern Ireland
Dendron Lodge
Clandeboye Estate
Bangor
BT19 1RN
Telephone: 028 9085 2817
Fax: 028 9185 2906
Email: K.Kane@btcv.org.uk