They include the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA), the umbrella body for the local voluntary and community sector.

BBC: Scene of Enniskillen bomb in 1987

Last month, umbrella groups representing the UK voluntary and community sector wrote a joint letter to the Minister of State for Pensions, Steve Webb.

BBC: Scene of Enniskillen bomb in 1987

Branagh spent his early years in Northern Ireland, where he is now honorary President of NICVA supporting all the organisations in the voluntary and community sector.

BBC: Kenneth Branagh

The US scheme took off in New York under its Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who provided support and resources to the London scheme, which will see the public and private sector and voluntary organisations coordinating community activities.

BBC: London scheme launched to find 10,000 volunteers