The Share Holiday Village was established in 1981 as one of Northern Ireland’s projects to celebrate the International Year of the Disabled. The centre now welcomes over 10,500 participants each year making it the largest outdoor centre in Ireland. Share works for the inclusion of disabled and non-disabled people. We do this by providing opportunities for all to participate in a wide range of creative, educational and recreational activity-based programmes.

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety was established by the Departments (NI) Order 1999. The Department administers the business of: Health and Personal Social Services, which includes policy and legislation for hospitals, family practitioner services, community health and personal social services; Public Health, which covers responsibility for policy and legislation to promote and protect the health and well-being of the population of Northern Ireland; and Public Safety, which encompasses responsibility for the policy and legislation for the Fire Authority, food safety and emergency planning.

More than 6,000 parents and pupils emailed this charity for help last year and Bullying Online needs funds to help us keep this vital service going. You can now donate online through this secure link.

Kidscape is committed to keeping children safe from abuse. Kidscape is the only national charity dedicated to preventing bullying and child sexual abuse. Kidscape believes that protecting children from harm is key. Kidscape works UK-wide to provide individuals and organisations with practical skills and resources necessary to keep children safe from harm. The Kidscape staff equips vulnerable children with practical non-threatening knowledge and skills in how to keep themselves safe and reduce the likelihood of future harm. Kidscape works with children and young people under the age of 16, their parents/carers, and those who work with them.

You might not want to talk to anyone about your worries because you are embarrassed, you might think people won’t take you seriously or understand you, or that they might tell someone else when you don’t want them to. You might think adults have let you down, so find it hard to trust them. It can be very difficult to talk about your feelings and what’s happening in your life, but some problems won't go away if you try to sort them out yourself or ignore them.

Barnardo's helps the most vulnerable children and young people transform their lives and fulfil their potential.

Child Accident Prevention Trust is a national charity in the United Kingdom committed to reducing the number of children and young people killed, disabled and seriously injured as a result of accidents.

Website detailing all the issues concerned with carrying children in cars etc…

A free 24-hour helpline for children in the UK packed with information on all aspects of childhood.

Fermanagh Shadow Youth Council is a group of young people elected to give their age group a political voice. Candidates stand on youth issue manifestos in properly organised PR elections organised by Fermanagh District Council.

Include Youth was formed in 1979 primarily as a campaigning organisation working to enhance services for vulnerable young people at risk of entering the care or criminal justice systems. 24 years on, this work remains at the core of the organisation. We have the unique position of being placed between different agencies and services, straddling the area if social care, criminal justice and education, allowing for the enhancement of services and practice across Northern Ireland when working with young people at risk of social exclusion.

The NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) is the UK's leading charity specialising in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children. We have been directly involved in protecting children and campaigning on their behalf since 1884.

Opportunity Youth is a multi-disciplinary team delivering a health, social and personal development and community relations programme to young people throughout Belfast. The primary and most formal method for delivering the programme is through groupwork. In addition, we offer a counselling and information service on a referral or opportunistic basis, we organise residential courses, field trips and activities. An expansion of these services is planned for the future. Opportunity Youth works within eleven different community workshop organisations, and between them we access at least 300 young people every week. These young people are generally from the lower socio-economic groups and have varied abilities from the very limited to the exceptionally talented. The majority are already habitual risk-takers in the areas of sexual activity, drug and substance abuse, petty crime, joy-riding and gambling. As identified by the needs assessment exercise, many of them have a heightened sense of apathy and a lack of self-esteen and self-confidence - and many of them come from a culture of unemployment.

The Play Resource Centre is a unique one-stop shop, which provides resources for children's arts, play and education. As one of the largest centres of its kind in the U.K., it now caters for some 2,000 children's community groups and organisations across Northern Ireland.

PlayBoard is the lead agency for children's play in Northern Ireland, working to improve the quality of children's lives by increasing their opportunity to play.

A quarter of the population of Northern Ireland is under 18. The country is experiencing a period of relative stability after emerging from 30 years of conflict. Additionally research has shown that every other child in Northern Ireland is living in poverty or at risk of poverty.

Our Aims Are: To increase the level of bicycle helmet wearing above the current level of 18% nationally among the under 16 age group. To significantly reduce the number of young pedal cyclists suffering head and brain injuries. To increase the level of awareness for safety when cycling and to promote cycling as a healthy activity. To act as a national resource centre for bicycle helmet

Young Enterprise Northern Ireland (YENI) is a cross-community not-for-profit organization dedicated to inspiring young people to develop attitudes and skills for personal success, life-long learning and employability through participation in practical business programmes. The organization derives 30% of its funding and employs over 1,000 volunteers from private business.

The Youth Council has been operational for over ten years. Its primary focus is provision for and interests of children and young people aged 5-25 years.

YouthNet is a strategic network of Voluntary Youth Organisations. It exists to advocate with and on behalf of its membership, to represent, support and develop their interests and aspirations and to promote the independent voice of the voluntary youth sector.

A State Apart is an interactive chronicle covering the 30 years of conflict in Northern Ireland. This site brings it up to date and takes it beyond the period of the Troubles to an analysis of the Belfast / Good Friday Agreement. Explore the institutions of the Agreement and issues from policing to decommissioning through the eyes of politicians, community workers, victims, journalists and academics.

This site contains information and source material on 'the Troubles' in Northern Ireland from 1968 to the present. There is also information on politics in the region and Northern Ireland society. New material is added regularly to the site and there are also frequent updates, so information on particular pages may change.

Community Relations Councils Website 'taking a leading role in addressing communal divisions in Northern Ireland.'

We do this by bringing together people from different religious backgrounds in Northern Ireland and by bringing together people from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Counteract was established in 1990 by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and sponsored by ICTU affiliated unions, with the aim of combatting sectarianism and intimidation both in the workplace and community.

Democratic Dialogue is Northern Ireland's first think tank. It provides an independent inspiration for reflective thinking upon the critical issues confronting the people of Northern Ireland. Democratic Dialogue envisions policy formation through publications and debates, engaging all economic, social and political actors, including individual citizens.

This website shows a summary of the findings and recommendations from The Shaftesbury Society's 2-year study to identify good practice in community development among churches and faith communities.

The Glencree Centre for Reconciliation is a membership-based association of individuals who subscribe to the object of fostering mutual respect, tolerance and understanding between individuals and groups in conflict, with a view to building peace and reconciliation within the island of Ireland, between Ireland and Britain and beyond. It is an autonomous organisation which seeks to work together with all those trying to build peace, in whatever area of society. Uniquely in the Republic of Ireland, the Glencree Centre for Reconciliation at Enniskerry, County Wicklow provides facilities which are expressly devoted to peace-building and reconciliation issues. Glencree offers space and programme possibilities in the belief that new ways can be found to deal with conflict in a democratic society. Glencree is firmly identified with the aspiration to build a truly pluralist Ireland.

The Home Office is the Government department responsible for internal affairs. We work to build a safe, just and tolerant society, to enhance opportunities for all, and to ensure that the protection and security of the public are maintained and enhanced.

We aim to be an independent centre of excellence in mediation and other methods of conflict intervention.

People in Northern Ireland, and further afield, want to know about parades and the Parades Commission - where and when parades are happening; what restrictions if any have been placed on them; how the Commission works and who the members are; what the law says about parades; and much more.

Researching and developing co-operation across the Irish border in education, health, business, public administration, communications, agriculture, the environment and a range of other practical areas.

Corrymeela is people of all ages and Christian traditions, who, individually and together are committed to the healing of Social, Religious and Political divisions that exist in Northern Ireland and throughout the World. Corrymeela - Aims and Objectives To be a sign and symbol that Protestants and Catholics can share together in a common witness and ministry of reconciliation To provide opportunities for meeting, dialogue and learning in communities to dispel ignorance, prejudice and fear and to promote mutual respect, trust and co-operation To support victims of violence and injustice; to enable the healing of personal and social wounds and to promote new initiatives for social and political change To address contemporary issues of faith and ethics and develop new expressions of Christian community, life and worship

Community Safety is about delivering local solutions to local problems that have been identified by local people. The Community Safety Unit is the central co-ordinating body for community safety in Northern Ireland. It’s roles and functions are: • Developing a community safety strategy for Northern Ireland; • Influencing other Government Departments’ policies; • Providing information, guidance and advice to local community safety partnerships; • Funding projects that assist the meeting of central Government crime reduction targets; • Funding local projects and new and innovative projects; • Forging relationships with those dealing with community safety in other countries; and • Advising Ministers on community safety issues. Throughout Northern Ireland, community safety initiatives

Crime is a major social issue. It scars the lives of victims, damages communities and lowers everyone’s quality of life. Crime also hits our pockets: policing, courts and prisons alone cost taxpayers £10.5 billion a year. The good news is that, up and down the country, voluntary and community groups are tackling crime and its causes in a variety of ways, such as running projects, giving advice or sharing information. Their work may focus on making crimes harder to commit, supporting children and young people at risk of offending, or helping communities to protect themselves from crime. Those currently involved in making their communities safer include tenants, residents and community associations; groups working with families, young people, the elderly; and, groups concerned with race issues, domestic violence, alcohol and drugs.

This website sets-out all services available in Enniskillen centre including counseling, motivation, holistic therapy and much much more.

The General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland promotes and safeguards the interests of consumers.

If you feel you have been treated unfairly by a government department or other public organisation, you can complain to the Ombudsman. He will tell you what you should do next, or he will decide to make enquiries or carry out a formal investigation.

This site details all the relevant information in relation to your TV Licence

Which? magazine gives you independent, unbiased advice to find the best products and services. Now you can find the same essential life support online.

Disability Action works to ensure that people with disabilities attain their full rights as citizens, by supporting inclusion, influencing Government policy and changing attitudes in partnership with disabled people.

Information for the disabled, job centre, contact addresses, discussion forums, consultations, research and much more. Regularly updated.

Our mission: * We provide information, counselling and support for people with Down’s syndrome, their families and carers, as well as being a resource for interested professionals. * We strive to improve knowledge of the condition. * We champion the rights of people with Down’s syndrome.

This site aims to provide information about hearing loss and ways it's impact can be lessened.

Throughout the United Kingdom, more than one hundred DIALs, (Disablement Information and Advice Lines), provide information and advice that makes a difference to thousands of people with disabilities.

Offer information, support and a range of services for children and adults with a learning disability. We also campaign for choice, opportunity and respect for people with a learning disability and their families.

PHAB exists to promote integration between disabled and able-bodied people through social, leisure and educational activities.

Our mission: * To be a powerful force for change with government, and public and private sector organisations. * To change radically the attitudes and behaviour of individuals towards deaf and hard of hearing people. * To provide services directly to deaf and hard of hearing people to improve their everyday lives. * To be a catalyst for research in medicine and technology to improve the lives of people with a hearing loss. * We seek to work in partnership with those who share our vision and mission.

RNIB wants a world in which people with a visual impairment enjoy the same rights, freedoms, responsibilities and quality of life as people who are fully sighted.

Action for Blind People is a national UK charity which aims to enable blind and partially sighted people to enjoy equal opportunities in every aspect of their lives through work, leisure, housing and support.

ASH is working to secure public, media, parliamentary, local and national Government support for a comprehensive programme to tackle the epidemic of tobacco-related disease.

The Charity is dedicated to ensuring that the Children of the United Kingdom are able to deal with issues relating to drugs and violence, which they will inevitably face during their lives. Our life skills based programme encourages young people to achieve their best in life.

DrugScope has been created through the merger of the UK's foremost drug information and policy organisations: the Institute for the Study of Drug Dependence (ISDD) and the Standing Conference on Drug Abuse (SCODA) - two charities with a total of sixty years in the national and international drugs field.

NHS drugs information website detailing origins, effects, composition, risks and the law.

Information for young people is the hub of the Site, organised into: Advice, Drugs and Alcohol, Education, Entertainment, Freetime, Health, Housing, Money, Sex, Sport & Work.

Fermanagh College provides quality education and training to meet the learning needs of the community, the individual, schools and industry, thereby contributing to the educational and economic development of Fermanagh.

Since its earliest days Queen's has been offering provision for the population beyond its walls. Indeed the contracts of the first lecturers in the 1850s required them to provide lectures not just to the undergraduates enrolled on degree programmes, but to adults on evening courses. That early commitment has received a new boost with the Government's lifelong learning agenda, and the Institute of Lifelong Learning is at the forefront of the new learning revolution, offering a range of opportunities for people to help with their personal growth, their career development, and sometimes just to satisfy the need for learning for its own sake.

At learndirect you can find: * Hundreds of specially created online courses in computers, office skills and self development, designed so that you can learn at a time, place and pace to suit your needs. * Information on our network of over 2000 learndirect centres to help you with your local learning needs * Impartial information and advice on over 600,000 courses from providers throughout the UK * Courses and services designed to help you, your business or your employees

The Local Authority responsible for Education, Library and Youth Services in Fermanagh, Omagh, Strabane, Derry City and Limavady Council Areas in Northern Ireland.

Most education providers have no choice but to follow government policy. If that policy is heavily influenced by the political bent of the government of the day then the providers will find their own practice shaped accordingly. While the WEA has a funding relationship with the Government through a ‘compact’, it remains free to set it own directions and priorities. The Compact is a formal agreement that sets targets for the WEA that are linked to the key objectives of the Department for Employment and Learning.

The Department is one of the key channels through which the Northern Ireland Executive is working towards a vision of a peaceful, inclusive, prosperous, stable and fair society. It is responsible for third level education, training and a range of employment measures, all aimed at giving people the skills, knowledge and opportunities to work.

Assisting employers, employees and their representatives to improve the conduct of their industrial relations and employment practices

We're a UK charity that helps young people overcome barriers and get their lives working. Through practical support including training, mentoring and financial assistance, we help 14-30 year olds realise their potential and transform their lives. We focus our efforts on those who've struggled at school, been in care, been in trouble with the law, or are long-term unemployed.

The Council was set up to: • defend human rights, parliamentary democracy and the rule of law, • develop continent-wide agreements to standardise member countries' social and legal practices, • promote awareness of a European identity based on shared values and cutting across different cultures.

The new Equality Commission deals with equality issues under religious, sex, race and disability legisaltion, and in addition age, dependants, sexual orientation, political belief and marital status under the S.75 Equality Duty on Public Authorities.

The primary task of the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC) is to provide the Community and its Member States with objective, reliable and comparable information and data on racism, xenophobia, islamophobia and anti-Semitism at the European level in order to help the EU and its Member States to establish measures or formulate courses actions against racism and xenophobia.

Our aim is to keep you updated on current legislation and campaigns and provide you with information about other NGOs so you can network together.

The aim of this site is to provide a platform for human rights organisations and networks. Here you will find the homepages of NGO's and information on their activities and publications.

ITM was established in 1990 and now has over eighty Traveller organisations from all parts of Ireland in its membership. The Irish Traveller Movement consists of a partnership between Travellers and settled people committed to seeking full equality for Travellers in Irish society. This partnership is reflected in all of the structures of ITM.

Whether you are a refugee, asylum seeker, migrant worker or an organisation working with any of these groups – we hope to give you an idea of what our resource centre is all about. The Multi-lingual Careers Resource Centre is a partnership of local organisations funded by the European Social Fund and the London Borough of Lambeth, London, UK. Its aim has been to set up a resource centre for people whose first language is not English.

Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities is a voluntary sector umbrella organisation working on behalf of ethnic minorities in Northern Ireland. Activities include, capacity building, policy and information, networking, training, interpreting and translation services, racial equality services and asylum seekers refugee and immigration advice services, racial harassment advice and advocacy, health advocacy and volunteer development.

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is a statutory body established by the Northern Ireland Act 1998, in compliance with the Good Friday Agreement. The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission aims to ensure that the human rights of everyone in Northern Ireland are fully and firmly protected in law, policy and practice.

In the years following World War II there were, worldwide, large numbers of refugees and displaced people. In 1951, a United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees was held and certain international agreements were made governing the treatment of refugees. In the UK, two independent organisations were founded in 1951, namely the British Council for Aid to Refugees (BCAR) and the Standing Conference on Refugees (SCOR). In 1981 these two organisations merged to form the British Refugee Council. The Council adopted a mission statement, the aims of which remain largely unchanged to this day. The commitment was made to provide two main services.

The United Nations vision is of a world in which the human rights of all are fully respected and enjoyed in conditions of global peace. The High Commissioner works to keep that vision to the forefront through constant encouragement of the international community and its member States to uphold universally agreed human rights standards.

This is your gateway to Health and Social Care Services in Northern Ireland, containing links to all local Acute and Community Hospital Trusts, General Practitioner Surgeries and Clinics, Health Boards and Agencies and central government healthcare services. There is advice about healthy lifestyles, the latest local, national and international health news and online access to medical databases.

Meningitis and septicaemia are life threatening diseases. Knowing the signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia, and acting quickly to get medical help, can save lives.

NHS Direct operates a 24-hour nurse advice and health information service, providing confidential information on: What to do if you or your family are feeling ill; Particular health conditions; Local healthcare services, such as doctors, dentists or late night opening pharmacies. Self help and support organisations.

The area served by the Sperrin Lakeland Health and Social Care Trust covers three District Council areas, Omagh, Fermanagh and about one third of Strabane. The Trust delivers health and social care to approximately 118,000 people spread across 1,000 square miles in some of Northern Ireland’s most remote and marginal rural areas. The Sperrin Mountains, which dominate the northern portion, and the Fermanagh lakes, which do likewise for the southern portion, add to the scenic splendour. However, fewer than a third of the population live in the two large towns of Omagh and Enniskillen, the remainder living in smaller towns and villages and in the open countryside.

The Western Health Action Zone (HAZ) has been established to improve the health and well-being of older people and families living in poverty across the West. It develops new ways of working and facilitates partnership action among agencies across the statutory, local authority, voluntary, community and private sectors. The HAZ uses a community development approach. It responds to the identified needs of the community and empowers local people to counter inequalities through co-operative action.

Welcome to the web site of Western Investing for Health. We aim to provide you with information relating to the Investing For Health programme in the Western Area. You can find information on our aims and objectives, action research and consultation reports as well as other areas of interest within this site.

Young Minds is the national charity committed to improving the mental health of all children and young people.Many children and young people have difficulty growing up in today’s complex society. Research shows that one in ten children and young people in Britain aged between five and 15 are suffering from behavioural, emotional or hyperactivity disorders. And one in five are experiencing a range of less severe mental health problems which significantly affect their daily lives. (ONS 1999). These figures are much higher in cities and areas of deprivation.

The Executive is Northern Ireland’s comprehensive regional housing authority. Our goal is to: To provide everyone with the opportunity to access decent, affordable housing in safe abd sustainable communities, deliver excellent housing services, develop strategies to influence the wider housing market and work with others to foster urban and rural renewal and contribute to improved health and social well-being.

N.I.T.A.P.'s role is to help communities become more involved in all areas of Community Development by providing support to residents to enhance their skills, knowledge and expertise. N.I.T.A.P. enables them to fully participate in matters which impact on their communities.

Gingerbread is the leading support organisation for lone parent families in England and Wales. Gingerbread was started in 1970 and is a registered charity maintained by lone parents. At this site you will find valuable information about support for lone parent families

The Parents Advice Centre aims to help parents and other family members to improve their ability to function within the family by: * Giving Support * Guiding individuals to find their own solutions * Using basic counselling skills

The Committee on the Administration of Justice. Defending human rights and civil liberties in Northern Ireland.

We’re a national crime reduction organisation and registered charity. We provide advice and help to a wide range of professional and voluntary agencies to support their work in reducing crime and the fear of crime within local communities. We also run over 50 projects across England and Wales, many of which are youth and neighbourhood-focused. If you’re a paid professional or community volunteer whose activities focus on reducing crime and creating safer communities, then our work and information will be of interest to you.

The Crime Reduction Website aims to provide community safety and crime prevention practitioners with information and advice to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in their local area.

The National Neighbourhood Watch Association (NNWA) is the national charity that supports, promotes and represents Neighbourhood Watch in the UK. The NNWA aims to make Neighbourhood Watch a centre of excellence for community safety, by reducing crime, opportunities for crime and the fear of crime and by enhancing good citizenship and community spirit.

Website covering the Police Service of Northern Ireland as a whole

The Probation Board is a non-departmental public body which has a range of statutory and mandatory functions. It is primarily charged with carrying out risk assessments and provide pre-sentence reports for courts. The Courts’ decisions may be to require the statutory supervision of offenders in the community.

The Law Centre provides specialist legal services to members in the areas of social security, community care, employment, immigration and housing.

NINIS provides free access to statistical and locational information relating to small areas across Northern Ireland. Information is available across a range of themes including 2001 Census of Population, Social and Welfare, Agriculture, Education and Crime. Users will be able to obtain an area profile based on a postcode or by selecting an area to view.

The NEXUS Institute works to respond to the needs of adults who have experienced sexual abuse. We provide an effective, professional counselling service for those in need. We have provided training to key individuals, groups and agencies throughout Northern Ireland, We work to increase awareness of sexual abuse and its consequences through research, public awareness and information services.

The Victims and Survivors Trust aims to help people in their transition from being a victim to becoming a survivor. We have dedicated this site to ALL of those who have lost their lives as a result of the Anglo/Irish conflict.

The role of the Victims Unit (NI) is to raise awareness of, and co-ordinate activity on, issues affecting victims of the troubles across the devolved administration and throughout Northern Ireland in general.

The Association for Research into Voluntary and Community Organisations

The Active Community Initiative (ACI) is all about recognising and celebrating people¹s involvement in their community and making it easier for people to get involved. It is about inclusion, encouraging everyone to play a role in their community.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS® is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.

Online Information Source for Community and Voluntary Groups in Northern Ireland

To facilitate organisations to understand and use evaluation to measure their achievements and to assist them in planning and managing their activities.

The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland works to support people, strengthen communities and build peace in the divided communities of Northern Ireland. Thirty years of continuous conflict have left the people of Northern Ireland with special and urgent needs. Problems of community deprivation have been aggravated by high levels of stress, poor health and the fear of violence. People living in areas that are most disadvantaged have also borne the brunt of the impact of the Troubles, in terms of death, bereavement, injury and trauma. The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland is non-partisan, non-sectarian and has no political affiliations. It is therefore in the unique position of being able to work across all the divisions within society in Northern Ireland.

CTA employs planners, architects and development staff to assist community groups.

This is a fantastic online resource which provides a wealth of information and advice on various aspects of community work. The Community Toolbox mission statement is: ‘To promote community health and development by connecting people, ideas and resources.’

Every year Groundwork Trusts deliver thousands of projects in neighbourhoods which are blighted by high unemployment and crime levels, poor public health, run-down housing and public spaces, waste ground and struggling businesses.

National Drugs Helpline, highly detailed information on all drugs in accessible format.

Mission: To facilitate the networking of the full range of environmental organisations in Northern Ireland and to articulate the views of the sector. Northern Ireland Environment Link (NIEL) delivers this Mission through the following Aims: * To establish partnerships with the full range of organisations with an interest in the environment. * To support the building of the skills, capacity and strengths of NIEL Members and of the environmental sector in general. * To provide a central point of access to the environmental sector in Northern Ireland. * To provide mechanisms for NIEL Members to influence policy development.

NICVA is the representative and support organisation for voluntary and community sector organisations in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland Women's Aid Federation (NIWAF) exists to challenge attitudes and beliefs which perpetuate domestic violence. We seek through our work to promote healthy and non-abusive relationships

Parents Advice Centre (PAC) is a voluntary organisation that offers support, guidance and counselling to parents and young people with family difficulties. PAC welcomes calls from any family member about children of any age. This service is province-wide and free to users. However, telephone callers must pay for their own call at the appropriate rate.

The aim is to achieve a Northern Ireland Community that embraces sustainable development. Sustainable NI Programme can help your community work towards sustainable development.

The Woodland Trust is the UK's leading conservation charity dedicated to the protection of our native woodland heritage.

Training for Women Network Limited (TWN) is a non-profit making membership organisation which aims to advance, promote, develop and coordinate provision of accessible, high quality vocational and pre-vocational education and training for women in Northern Ireland, leading to sustainable employment; to facilitate vertical and horizontal integration of women into the labour market; to provide a range of services to members and promote good practice in training for women; to encourage and empower women to take up leadership roles and become involved in decision making in public and professional life.

Communities Online aims to address issues of sustainability, regeneration, social inclusion and healthier economies by focusing on the use of new communications technologies in communities and neighbourhoods. Communities Online is a not-for-profit registered company which exists to harness the potential of information and communications technology for the benefit of all. These pages, with links to associated discussion lists, provide news of progress and ways for you to join in by attending events, joining conferences, contributing ideas and more.

The Vital Voices Chapter in Northern Ireland was established in 1998 following the Vital Voices conference in Belfast. The group has a coordinator and a steering committee comprised of women leaders from diverse sectors of society: business, community, and labor/public advocacy. The Chapter sponsors a number of conferences and training sessions, including an IT training conference for women community and business leaders in May 2001.

The Volunteer Development Agency's services and projects are fundamental in promoting volunteering and raising awareness of the contribution volunteers make to local communities. The Agency actively promotes volunteering by maximising media coverage, targeting relevant agencies, organising promotional events and planning campaigns. We develop partnerships with other organisations to promote volunteering through regional, national and international initiatives.