Council pays tribute to volunteers during Volunteer Week

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is paying tribute this Volunteer Week to the thousands of volunteers who give up their time and their energy to work for the betterment of the people of their communities across the district.

The Fermanagh and Omagh district has always enjoyed a tremendous reputation for its people and those who voluntarily, work so hard to improve the quality of life of those living in the district.

Never has this been so apparent than during the current Coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic which has had severe implications globally and presented us all with the greatest set of challenges in living memory. Restrictions placed on people and communities to try to stem the spread of the virus, have resulted in the genuine risk that social distancing measures could inadvertently lead to social isolation particularly in rural areas.

However, it is against this backdrop that the inherent goodness and generosity of spirit of the people of the Fermanagh and Omagh district has risen to the fore.

Individuals, community groups, sports clubs and businesses have provided assistance offering everything from deliveries of essential items such as groceries and medicines to providing a listening ear for those who isolated and lonely. We, as a Council, acknowledge all those volunteers for their many hours of selfless work in the most challenging of circumstances.

However, it is not just during the pandemic where the work of volunteers is keenly felt across the district. Year in, year out, people across a whole range of areas contribute to the lives of so many people, making a real and positive impact. Volunteers play such a key role, be that working in youth clubs and sports clubs for our young people, in roles within the Council, supporting older people, fundraising on behalf of the many charities who rely on public support to carry on their great work, working in nature and conservation to promote and preserve our environment for future generations and in the field of arts and culture.

Volunteering is defined as “the commitment of time and energy for the benefit of society and the community, the environment or individuals. It is unpaid and undertaken freely.” It is without doubt the cornerstone of any community. Without the commitment and dedication of those who selflessly serve their communities, in a voluntary capacity, any modern society would find it difficult to function.

To you, our volunteers, thank you on behalf of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and the people of the district. There is an old saying, “Volunteers are not paid, not because they are worthless but because they are priceless.” In the context of what has been done on a volunteer basis in this district, there is no-one who could argue with that sentiment.