MANY anxious recipients of social security benefits have pondered long and hard over whether they can or should get involved in volunteering in a local charity , business or sports club. Now the Department of Social Development (DSD) has clarified the situation which many people found confusing.
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has officially launched a new booklet, “Volunteer and Keep Your Benefits.”
The booklet aims to dispel the many myths around barriers to volunteering while on benefits. Minister McCausland said: “Research has shown that people who are unemployed and those on benefits are less likely to volunteer. The good news is that if you are on benefits you can be a volunteer as well and it is unlikely your benefits will be affected. This new booklet acts as a guide and explains the positive aspects of volunteering and the impact of any voluntary activity across a range of benefits.”
Many benefit customers do not know they can volunteer and are therefore missing out on a chance to learn new skills, build confidence and ultimately show employers or university selection panels what they can bring to the table. Volunteering is also a great way to find new interests, stay active and healthy and meet new people.
Maria Harte, a volunteer with Citizens Advice Bureau in Newry said: “Volunteering has helped me get back into a workplace environment. Through Volunteer Now I got a post as a receptionist for the Citizens Advice Bureau. While doing this I also completed the Steps to Work programme with Citizens Advice. My teenage daughter is not very well and needs a lot of support but I can still volunteer three days a week and get my benefits.
“I enjoy working with the wide range of clients that come into or ring the Bureau every day. I find the work rewarding and challenging and feel that I am always learning something new and enhancing my skills for the future.”
10,000 booklets will be distributed over the next few weeks to various benefit offices and to voluntary and community sector locations. It is also available on the DSD internet site.
http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/volunteer_and_keep_your_benefits.pdf
