Developing People Award Winners 2008

Northern Ireland Office - developing people

The Northern Ireland Office wanted to provide staff with alternative methods of developing professional skills for working within Government such as; Leadership, People Management, Financial Management and Programme Management. However, it wanted to find ways to combine this drive to develop its staff with its desire to support the local community. The Northern Ireland Office recognised that a strong employee volunteering programme would satisfy both these criteria.

What they did

The first step that NIO took was to sign up to Business in the Community’s ‘Cares’ programme. Commitment to the scheme was demonstrated as the Director of resources agreed to champion NIO’s efforts and led the team in their first Cares challenge. Since this, the organisation has undertaken a wide variety of volunteering initiatives that have helped a number of charities and community groups including

A two day challenge at Glenveagh Special School, Belfast by 40 volunteers
A two day challenge held at Hillsborough Castle involving 12 volunteers from the Fast Stream cadre who advised a relatively new charity – Allergy NI, on matters relating to funding, staffing, acquiring premises and devising a business plan
Development of an extensive media launch for Allergy NI Young Person of Year Award
Provision of support for 60 months from NIO Information Services to transfer skills and knowledge on media handling to Allergy NI.
Supported BITC’s Silver Surfers day, providing 7 volunteers to provide some over 50s with computer skills training.
A member of NIO staff has committed to spend 1 day per week for a period of 12 weeks at Rethink – a local mental health charity, advising on information management.

Impact

85 members of staff have participated in various forms volunteering enabling them to develop a vast variety of skills.
100’s of hours of pro bono work have been donated
Vast amounts of work have been carried out for community groups who would otherwise not be able to pay to have the work done.

Northern Ireland Office - NI Developing People Award Winners 2008