Immediate release
CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED TO HELP SAVE COMMUNITY GROUPS
New Social Media Campaign Aims to Build Support for Local
Community & Voluntary Groups, Clubs and Associations
Monday, 8th October 2011: A national campaign has been launched to help build support for local community and voluntary groups, after a recent survey revealed that up to 30% are facing closure, or are unsure about their future survival.
The Better Together campaign provides community and voluntary groups, clubs and associations with and opportunity to showcase their work and attract new supporters, volunteers and donors by posting short video clips on the campaign website (www.bettertogether.ie). Participating causes will also be competing for a combined prize-fund of €20,000.
The public can support their local charities, clubs and associations by locating them on an interactive map, voting for their favourite videos or donating online. The 30 causes that attract the most votes will be shortlisted for three cash prizes of €3,000, and the cause that attracts the largest number of donors will win €10,000 cash.
The campaign also celebrates the unsung heroes in our communities, through Ireland's Charity Hero Award. Nominations are now being sought for people who have made an extraordinary contribution to good causes in a voluntary capacity. See www.bettertogether.ie for details.
The Better Together campaign was developed by The Wheel, the national representative body for community and voluntary groups, in response to a dramatic fall in income among non-profit groups. A survey conducted by the organisation in May revealed that 60.7% have experienced a drop in income of up to 20% since November 2010.
Launching the Better Together campaign, Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton T.D. said: “The Better Together campaign is a true reflection of what is happening at a grass roots level in our communities. Up and down the country, people are selflessly helping others and are playing their part in making Ireland a more fair, inclusive and better place to live in. I welcome the launch of the Better Together campaign as it looks to build on the ground-swell of good work been done in our communities and encourages the wider public to get more involved.”
Commenting on the launch of the Better Together Campaign and research findings, Deirdre Garvey, CEO of The Wheel said: “Charities, community and voluntary groups are facing their toughest challenge yet having taken a double hit in the past number of years. Not only is the demand for their services increasing, but their income levels are dropping. The Better Together campaign aims to turn the tide on this and strengthen the local groups by showing the public the amazing work happening in their communities and what they can do to help.”
“With 80% of Irish community and voluntary groups now using social media compared to 60% of companies, the campaign's focus on social media provides the sector with an influential and accessible platform to boost their profile and tell their story,” added Ms. Garvey.
The campaign will culminate with the Better Together Awards on 1 December when the winners will be announced and Ireland's Charity Hero for 2011 will be named. See www.bettertogether.ie for details.
Other findings of the survey conducted by The Wheel among its members, include:
- 60.7% have experienced a drop in income of up to 20% since November 2010
- 47% experienced a drop in donations over last six months
- 62% have not recruited staff since November 2011
- 12% say there is a risk that they may have to suspend their operations within the next year
- 23% say they are unsure of their future
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About the Better Together Campaign
How the public can make a difference to their community
Charities, clubs and associations are invited to submit a video (three minutes or shorter) to www.bettertogether.ie until 28 October 2011. The videos that attract the most public votes will be shortlisted and three prizes of €3,000. Organisations that submit a video can accept donations via the website and the cause that attract the largest number of unique donors will win €10,000 to support their work.
The public are encouraged to visit the website www.bettertogether.ie to find and connect with good causes in their area, watch the videos entered in the competition and to start making a difference in their community by simply voting for their favourite videos, making a donation or volunteer their time.
The campaign will culminate with the Better Together Awards on 1 December when the winners will be announced and Ireland's Charity Hero for 2011 will be named.
The Better Together campaign is endorsed by many of the leading household name charities, including; the Irish Hospice Foundation, Irish Heart Foundation, Focus Ireland, Macra na Feirme, ISPCA and many more
The campaign was developed by The Wheel and is supported by the Newman’s Own Foundation as part of the Street Level Philanthropy Project.
Other campaign sponsors include;
The European Commission/ European Year of Volunteering 2011, Irish Daily Mail, CRAOL, Irish Blood Transfusion Service, The Community Foundation of Ireland, ESRI Ireland, Sponsor.ie and Zozzy TV.
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ENDS
Deirdre Garvey, Chief Executive of The Wheel is available for interview. Please contact: Gert Ackermann, Communications Officer, The Wheel Tel: 01-4548727 or 086 1769287.
Notes to Editor:
About the Survey
The survey was conducted by The Wheel between 17 and 24 May 2011, among its 890 members, which includes charities and community and voluntary groups. 128 respondents completed the survey.
About The Wheel
The Wheel is the national representative and support body for community, voluntary and charity organisations. We are a representative organisation promoting both our members’ and the wider sector’s interests. We also provide a wide range of information and support services, advice and training to individuals and organisations involved in community and voluntary activity.
Our mission is to strengthen the community and voluntary sector, focusing on organisations that seek to create a better world. We advocate for an environment that supports voluntary activity, and work to help this flourish by supporting organisations and by representing their shared interests.
