Do your or someone in your organisation have a passion for the local community?
Could you provide a valuable lifeline through offering your skills and expertise by joining the board of a local community or voluntary group?
Business in the Community – supported by the Department for Social Development, Arthur Cox Solicitors, and Invest NI – are encouraging business people from all sectors across Northern ~Ireland to register on the Business on Board programme.
Any interested can now register via the website and then offer their skills and expertise to a voluntary, community or social enterprise organisation.
NIE is one organisation that has become involved with Business on Board.
As well as the community reaping the benefits, the organisation is seeing results too.
Tom Doran, learning and development manager at NIE Ltd, said: “Business on Board has exceeded the expectations of NIE.”
“It has proved to be a fantastic opportunity to support the learning and development of our staff and enable them to use their skills in a totally differing environment.”
“Feedback from the community groups has been really positive and indicates that they are benefiting from the talent and professionalism of our people.”
“I myself have joined several community sector boards, one of which is Solas – a special needs charity, based in Northern Ireland, supporting children’s additional needs; providing both education and social support programmes. “
“Their education flagship programme is called Back on Track. Here retired teacher volunteers provide one-on-one support (in areas like literacy, numeracy etc) to children between the ages of four and 11 with an additional need, but who do not qualify for statutory support.”
Denise Cranston, Business on Board programme manager, added: “Many of our business leaders tell us that money could buy the type of expertise and skills development a board opportunity provides.”
“People get a great deal of satisfaction as they are involved with groups which really interest them, they can make an obvious difference in their local community and develop their skills quickly. “
“Business on Board has successfully matched over 50 business people with board positions and our aim is to double that number within the next 12 months.”
If you would like to get involved in the programme, please email denise.cranston@bitcni.org.uk for more information or call 028 9046 0606.
For more information on Business in the Community, visit the website.