Support our Volunteer and Seminar Suite
On Tuesday, 29 November, non-profit organizations around the world will mark Giving Tuesday. Giving Tuesday only happens once a year and it is a day where people are encouraged to “give back” and support causes and organisations close to their heart.
This year, if you would like to support the Ulster Historical Foundation, 100% of your contribution will go towards the creation of our Volunteer and Seminar Suite, further developing our ‘Genealogy Hub’ at Kiltonga, Newtownards.
Helping volunteers to help us
Since 2003 the Foundation has worked with local organisations such as NOW Group, New Horizons, Mencap and the Cedar Foundation providing volunteering opportunities for individuals across Belfast and Northern Ireland. Our volunteers come from a variety of social and economic backgrounds and many battle various physical and mental health issues.
We also provide volunteering opportunities for students and sixth form (i.e. high school) pupils, retirees, those not employed and individuals seeking to broaden their skill base or return to paid employment.
Our volunteers contribute in a meaningful way to the Foundation’s mission and help to benefit Guild members directly through their work. Since 2003 more than 40 dedicated volunteers, several of whom have been with us for 15+ years, have helped to add over 300 databases, comprising more than 550,000records for the Guild.
Volunteering with the Foundation has brought them many rewards personally: helping them to get back into employment, advancing their skillset or career, keeping active and healthy, making new friends and learning more about our history.
Unfortunately due to the recent pandemic we had to limit the in-person placements that we could offer to our volunteers which impacted their lives and well-being, and their ability to support our work. Now that the world has opened up again we want to welcome back our old friends to our offices and create opportunities for new volunteers to become more involved with the Foundation – and the creation of a Volunteer and Seminar Suite is key to being able to do so.
After some rearranging of office space at Bradley Thallon House we have been able to allocate an entire room for our volunteers where they will be able to work side-by-side, safely and comfortably. Through the support of the National Lottery’s Award for All fund, we have been able to purchase brand new IT equipment for our volunteers to use but there is still some work still to be done before we can welcome everyone back.
As you can see from the photos above, the room is a work-in-progress. We are hoping to raise £3,500 to finish, furnish and improve our Volunteer and Seminar Suite.
The funds raised from this appeal will be used to purchase new shelving units and cabinets to store volumes of our bound newspaper collection and other primary research materials. By better arranging these materials we will be able to free up more space in the room for additional volunteer work stations.
Moreover, when the room is not in use by our volunteers it can also be used as an intimate seminar room that can be used for smaller workshops, discussion groups, member events and lectures.
We have received approx. £1,205 ($1,465) from Giving Tuesday towards our goal, can you help us hit our target?
There are three different ways you can donate:
- You can “Buy-a-Bay” (£350, approx. $410 US*)
- “Support-a-Shelf” (£50, approx. $60 US*)
- or make a general contribution to our appeal (from £10+, approx. $12+ US*)
* US dollar prices are given for comparative purposes only
Any contribution – no matter its size – will be gratefully received and your name will be added to a commemorative plaque, erected in the Volunteer and Seminar Suite.
Irish American Partnership
For individuals who are resident or tax payers in the USA you can support the Foundation with a tax-deductible contribution through the Irish American Partnership here:
www.irishap.org/ulster-historical-foundation
You can also donate by phone at (+1) 617-723-2707
The Irish American Partnership is a US 501(c)(3) Non-profit Organisation (Tax ID # 22-2801642) which allows a US donor to take a tax deduction for the gift. The donor can designate UHF as the recipient of 100% of the gift to IAP.
Volunteer Suite
