Spotlight on Volunteers

George Acheson

Doagh Primary School George is a retired headmaster who gives up his time to help the Ecocouncil and children at Doagh Primary School. He has helped teach children life skills and given them confidence to try new things, always making sure he is there and never expecting anything in return.

This year, George has helped the school in the following ways: Helping less able readers in P7’s reading scheme, helping to build and put up birdboxes with the children, as well as countless Eco Club activities and even dressing up as Santa!

Thanks George, we couldn’t do it without you!

Pat Ruddy

All About Us ASD Teens

“Granny Pat” as she is known to everyone at All About Us, joined us as a support for her granddaughter and never left.

She gives all her free time to attend so many sessions, from our tots group to our ‘Friends of All About Us craft group caring for age groups from 3-80 years old.

Her caring nature, willingness to help and infectious personality makes our charity feel like a home from home.

Pat has become the Well-Being Champion for our charity, enhancing the importance of looking after your mental health, no matter your age.

Pat deserves this recognition for all the hard work she does without a second thought for herself. We would be lost without her.

Listening Ear Volunteers

Catherine Sheeran Catherine has been volunteering with Listening Ear since February of this year. Catherine volunteers with the Community Fridge team.

Since its commencement, the Community Fridge has seen a week on week increase in service users utilising the service.

The volunteers have ensured that the service meets the needs of those in need.

William Smallwood William has been volunteering with Listening Ear since Covid and has several volunteer roles.

His main role is part of the Community Fridge team, supporting and assisting during the afternoon and evening sessions. William’s other role is to support the Knit and Natter group. The group helps to address social isolation and loneliness.

Samantha Wallace Higgins Samantha has been volunteering with Listening Ear since Covid.

Samantha has a couple of voluntary roles within Listening Ear . Her main role is as the contact for our “daily” calls. This service provides a telephone call on the frequency set by the service user to see how the person is and if they need any support. Samantha also volunteers with the Community Fridge team.

Bobby Kerr Bobby has been volunteering with Listening Ear since February of this year. Bobby is part of the Listening Ear Community Fridge team supporting and assisting during the morning sessions.

Ms Chelsea Wood D Company 1 (NI) Army Cadet Force

Chelsea who at 27 is one of the youngest Detachment Commanders in the Battalion and has recently been promoted to Staff Sergeant Instructor.

Having been a Cadet for six years she became an adult volunteer in 2015 and is now in her ninth year as a volunteer.

She inspires her cadets to achieve well above their own ambitions and in the past two years she has had two Lord-Lieutenants Cadets as well as providing two Cadet Company Sergeant Majors, the highest rank a cadet can achieve within the Company.

She fully lives up to the ACF motto, ‘Inspire to Achieve’.

Martin Devlin FC Antrim

Football Club

Martin is the guy who gets things done. He is the secretary and the treasurer.

He organises events, he fundraises, he maintains the social media coverage and he does all the admin work required to keep the club afloat.

Martin gives 110% to the club.

Robert Smyth

Staffordstown Accordion Band Robert works tirelessly for the band and the community, arranging musical tuition, attendance at parades, community events, fundraising and community support. He often works all events around charitable causes across the entire community. Robert spends countless hours working for not only the welfare of the band but also for the community.

Karolyn Gaston Jordanstown Junior Parkrun

Karolyn Gaston is a ‘serial’ volunteer within our Borough.

She has been volunteering as part of Volunteer Now’s Events Team since 2012 as one of the infamous Games Makers at the London Olympics and Paralympics Games.

In 2013, she then volunteered at the World Police and Fire Games in Belfast.

Known as the ‘engine of enthusiasm’ Karolyn deserves to be spotlighted during for her contribution to parkrun. In particular, Karolyn helped set up Jordanstown Junior Parkrun in November 2017. This collaborative community engaging event is a free, fun, and friendly weekly 2k for juniors (4-14 year olds), held every Sunday at 9.30am.

Karolyn has been part of the Junior Parkrun core volunteer team for over six years and has volunteered on 218 separate occasions (Sundays).

Karolyn is also a volunteer ‘Action for Happiness Leader’ and was delighted to read the latest Health & Wellbeing Survey found that ‘three out of four children feel happy at Junior Parkrun’.

Community Advice Volunteers

Brian Moriarty Brian has volunteered with us since 2014, he always goes above and beyond for all of our clients.

Brian’s kindness puts clients at ease straightway and he makes a difference to everyone he meets.

We would be lost without Brian and his commitment.

Heather Murray Heather has been a dedicated volunteer since 2014, her enthusiasm and dedication to the organisation is immeasurable.

Heather always has a smile on her face, she is caring, thoughtful and considerate to everyone. Staff, volunteers and clients are always happy to see her.

Mary Since 2011, Mary has been committed to helping her community through volunteering with Community Advice in addition to other charitable organisations.

Bringing friendship and humour to the office staff and empathy with the clients we would be lost without Mary.

She is one in a million.

Steve Humphrey Friends of Antrim Castle Gardens

When Steve started with a number of years ago he in his own words, "did not know the difference between a weed and a plant".

We have watched his progress and total dedication to the group.

He is now a Co-ordinator on 2 sessions per week and is always willing to do anything asked of him, especially the heavy digging and lifting work.

His knowledge and attention to vegetable planting, maintenance and harvest is beyond amazing.

Volunteering makes a

difference