17/05/2012 -

National Quality Award to Sligo Volunteer Centre

On Friday 11th May Marian Harkin, MEP presented the Volunteer Ireland Quality Award to the staff and volunteers of Sligo Volunteer Centre. The event at The Model in Sligo town was also attended by volunteers and supporters of the Centre including Cathlaoirleach Councillor Michael Fleming and Catherine Conroy from the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, who both help to fund the work of the Centre.

Councillor Fleming welcomed everybody and congratulated the Centre on the award. He said
“I am delighted to see the progress of the Centre and to have been involved with the Centre over the last number of years. I am proud to be associated with volunteerism and I encourage everyone, especially young people, to get involved in volunteering in their community”.

Chairperson of Sligo Volunteer Centre, Mr. Joe Doherty, then invited Marian Harkin MEP to speak and present the award. Marian has been a big supporter of volunteering both at a local and European level. Marian said “I want to congratulate the staff at Sligo Volunteer Centre, Ciara, Paula and Riona on receiving the National Quality Standard for involving volunteers. I have a long association with the Volunteer Centre and I am very aware of their dedication and hard work of the staff and volunteers at the centre. This award is further evidence of the Centre’s total commitment to ensuring that people who want to volunteer are given the opportunity to do so.”

The Quality Award recognises the high standard of work and excellent contribution of the Centre to volunteering in Sligo town and county. The Quality Award is the result of a year long Peer Review Process in which Sligo Volunteer Centre‘s practices and procedures were reviewed and assessed by the Department of Environment, Community & Local Government along with Volunteer Ireland and other Volunteer Centres and representation from the community sector. The aim of Quality Standards is ensuring a consistent and quality standard in work practices and service provided at the Centre.

Marian Harkin also used the opportunity to support National Volunteering Week which is happening from 14th – 20th May. Marian said that “ All of us like to think that we can contribute positively to improving quality of life in our communities, so this is an opportunity for everybody to get involved in doing something they enjoy doing and that benefits the community as a whole”.

If you are interested in volunteering or you are an organisation looking for volunteers then please contact Sligo Volunteer Centre on 071-911 1042 or visit their www.volunteersligo.ie

Photograhper Credits: Szymon Kizuk/photokizuk.com

- Marian Harkin, MEP presents National Quality Award to Sligo Volunteer Centre staff

- National Quality Award received by Sligo Volunteer Centre

- Marian Harkin, MEP speaking at the presentation