Volunteer Achievements Awards
The Youth Work Ireland Volunteer Achievement Awards for 2011 took place in the National Offices of Youth Work Ireland on Saturday 5th November.
This year the National Selection Committee received 38 nominations from 11 Member Youth Services of Youth Work Ireland. At local and national level volunteers have helped shape youth work policy and practice. Supported by teams of locally based staff they are among the key deliverers of services to young people. Much of this work is done “out of the spotlight” and quite often receives little recognition.
The people honoured on Saturday represent a group of committed and dedicated individuals who give their free time to benefit local communities and society in general. Through their enthusiasm and dedication they inspire young people and support them to realise their own potential.
Each recipient received a specially commissioned pin designed by jewellery designer Garrett Mallon which was presented bySimon Harris T.D.
Leading the Way Award Winner – Padraig McGrath, Daingean Youth Club, MRYS
Padraig has been involved in Daingean Youth Club since 2008 and is currently assistant secretary of the adult committee. He undertook the task of a graffiti workshop, which was a tremendous success with both junior and senior club members. Padraig was instrumental in establishing the senior youth club in Daingean, along with setting up a Facebook page and a youth club website. Having recently completed in degree in Social Care with Athlone Institute of Technology, he is extremely enthusiastic and passionate about what he does with the youths and encourages them to develop their own talents and abilities. Padraig is a role model club leader and puts his college learning into practice both at a committee and youth work level. Whether working as part of a team or individually.
Stepping Up Award Winner – Peter Murphy, Bruach na Habhainn Youth Project, KDYS
Peter Murphy has been involved in KDYS clubs and groups for the past number of years. Initially Peter joined as a member and his interest and initiative soon saw him taking on more of a leadership role. He undertook Youth Empowerment Programme (YEP) training with the KDYS when he was 16 this programme equipped him with the necessary skills and attitude to be a junior leader with his local Youth Project Bruach na hAbhainn. He works with the leaders and young people in the group to plan activities on a weekly basis, to evaluate them and works as part of a team with the leaders also. Peter is also a member of his local Garda Youth Project where he works with the project worker and co-ordinator on improving his group work and leadership skills. He aspires to be a Youth and Community Worker in the future.
Making a Difference Award Winner – Gearoid (Gadge) Murphy, Killarney Youth Club & Drop-in, KDYS
Gearoid Murphy first became a leader in the KDYS at the age of 21. At the time he became a volunteer he was a duty manager in the Killarney Court Hotel, giving up of his sparse spare time to volunteer with numerous projects within the youth centre. Gearoid was a key factor in the instigation of the Drop-In service held on a Friday night, as a space for the young people from Killarney to have a venue of their own in which to develop their skills and interact socially, the Drop-In is now held over three evenings a week and caters for over 100 young people many of which are from disadvantaged backgrounds. As a key leader in the Killarney Youth Club for two years, Gearoid works with young people from disadvantaged areas, organising events and projects with them. Gearoid has a natural ability to connect with young people, building supportive and trusting relationships with them, he has a great understanding and awareness of youth issues and is a valuable and intelligent member of any group he works with.
Behind the Scenes Winner – Karen Dunne, Board of Directors, Youth Work Ireland Galway
Karen Dunne is the Treasurer of Youth Work Ireland Galway Board of Directors. Originally from Mayo, Karen started work with Youth Work Ireland Galway in 2002 fresh from college as the Project Worker with CAPE Peer Education Project. This is a partnership project with Foroige and Karen’s work hours were shared. She was based in The Gaf Youth Café. She was selected as the staff rep to attend Board Meetings. In 2007 Karen applied for the position of School Completion Co-ordintor for the Westside of Galway City and was successful. Karen continued to engage with the Youth work Ireland Galway in her professional capacity but also continued to volunteer in a private capacity. In line with our policy Karen was co-opted to the Board of Directors. She was subsequently elected at the AGM
The Extra Mile Award – Angela Montgomery, Castlepollard Youth Club, Midlands Regional Youth Service
Angela has been involved with the Youth Service both at local level with Castlepollard Youth Club since 2000 and at regional level as a member of the MRYS Board of Management since 2006. Angela is involved in a participative and management level both in Castlepollard youth club and in MRYS. She gives willingly of her time and is as active and as enthusiastic today as when she first started. As a Youth Club committee member, Angela is responsible for liaising with young people and the planning and running of the club. She volunteers with the youth club on Friday nights even though her own children have long left the club. She is an active citizen and a role model to local people in the area.
.
For the first time and in recognition of 2011 being the European Year of the Volunteer, the VAA Selection Committee decided to award an overall winner, Volunteer of the Year to Karen Dunne.
________________________
Full listing of the nominees received for the Youth Work Ireland Volunteer Achievement Awards
Category Leading the Way Nominees
Linda Grimes, St. Catherines Youth Club, Meath Youth Federation
John Finney, St. Catherine’s Youth Club, Meath Youth Federation
Padraig McGrath, Daingean Youth Club, Midlands Regional Youth Service
Sarah Duggan, Ennis Youth Club, Clare Youth Service
Kathleen Hehir, Kilrush Youth Club, Clare Youth Service
Vanessa Kavanagh, Coolcotts Youth Centre, FDYS
Rebecca Bambrick, Coolcotts Youth Centre, FDYS
Niamh McCarthy, Craobh Rua Drop-In, YWI Louth
Kirsty Griffin, St. Senan’s Youth Club, Limerick Youth Service
Loretto Feeney, Graiguecullen Youth Project, Carlow Regional Youth Service
Sandie Murphy, shOUT LGBT Youth Group, YWI Galway
Joss L’Amour, shOUT LGBT Youth Group, YWI Galway
Rosaleen Gubbins, SPY Fermoy, CDYS Youth Work Ireland
Liz Fenton, SPY Fermoy, CDYS Youth Work Ireland
Jim Gartlan, Carrickmacross Youth Project, YWI Monaghan
Category Stepping Up Nominees
Harry Cunningham, Various, YWI Monaghan
Peter Murphy, Bruach na Habhainn Youth Project
Diarmuid Neville, Oylegate Youth Club, FDYS
Lynn O’Halloran, Southside CYP, YWI Louth
Roisin Smith, YWI Louth
Christopher Ryan, Buzz Stop Cafe, Clare Youth Service
Vadim McEvoy, Quin Youth Club, Clare Youth Service
Ben Coleman, East Limerick SPY, Limerick Youth Service
Ros McKeon, East Galway Youth Project, YWI Galway
Category Making a Difference Nominees
David Foley, Westside Youth Project, YWI Galway
Fiona Hession, shOUT LGBT Group, YWI Galway
Brian Gough, Castleconnell Youth Club, Limerick Youth Service
Adrian Sheeny, Feabhas Cobh, CDYS Youth Work Ireland
Gearóid Murphy, Killarney Youth Club & Drop In, KDYS
Category Behind the Scene
Leigh Gath, Pallaskenry Youth Club, Limerick Youth Service
Karen Dunne, YWI Galway Board
James Lowe, CDYS Youth Work Ireland
Category The Extra Mile
Angela Montgomery, Castlepollard Youth Club, Midlands Regional Youth Club
Celia Nolan, Oylegate Youth Club, FDYS
Mary Grace, Clonlara Youth Club, Limerick Youth Service
Marian Farell, Tullow Road Youth Project, Carlow Regional Youth Service
Rosemary McMahon, Carrickmacross Youth Club, YWI Monaghan
Briege Martin, Carrickmacross Youth Club, YWI Monaghan
________________
Volunteer Achievement Awards Presentation 2009
On Saturday 16th January 2010 volunteers, their guests and youth work staff from around the country converged on Dublin for one of the major events in our calendar. The occasion was the Youth Work Ireland Volunteer Achievement Awards Presentation. A total of 120 people joined in our celebration of the outstanding work of volunteers involved in delivering a wide range of services and activities for young people.
Main Award Recipients (by category)
Quality in Service Delivery Award – Tracey Moore – Youth Work Ireland Galway
Making a Difference Award – Thomas O’ Reilly – Youth Work Ireland Monaghan
Inspirational Young Volunteers Award – Bobby Lee Murphy – FDYS Youth Work Ireland
Behind the Scenes Award – Stuart Garland – Canal Communities Regional Youth Service
The Extra Mile – John Howlin – FDYS Youth Work Ireland
The Siobhán Cotter Distinguished Service Award – Fr. Seán Sexton – formerly Clare Youth Service
Volunteers Nominated 2009
Noelle Tierney (Clare Youth Service) Carmel Tierney (Clare Youth Service)
Tim O’Callaghan (CDYS Youth Work Ireland) Tracey Moore (Youth Work Ireland Galway)
Nora O’Regan (Limerick Youth Service) Bridget Cunningham (Limerick Youth Service)
Mairead Larkin (Youth Work Ireland Louth) Trish Ryan ((Meath Youth Federation)
Carol Curley Murray ((Meath Youth Federation) Pauline Gilsenan (Youth Work Ireland Monaghan)
Ciara Elliott (Youth Work Ireland Monaghan) Mary Daly (FDYS Youth Work Ireland)
Noreen Ronaldson (Youth Work Ireland Galway) Noel Mulligan ((Midlands Regional Youth Service)
Celia Brady (Youth Work Ireland Monaghan) Thomas O’Reilly (Youth Work Ireland Monaghan)
Laura Farnan ((Youth Work Ireland Monaghan) Stephen Harrison (Youth Work Ireland Louth)
Aoife Hassett (Limerick Youth Service) Bryan McMahon (Clare Youth Service)
Caolan O’Neill Forde (Clare Youth Service) Ayman Scuffins (CDYS Youth Work Ireland)
Bobby Lee Murphy (FDYS Youth Work Ireland) Stuart Garland (Canal Communities Youth Service)
Mary Cashin (Clare Youth Service) Josephine O’Driscoll (CDYS Youth Work Ireland)
Michael O’Neill (FDYS Youth Work Ireland) Gina Casey (Youth Work Ireland Monaghan)
Peter McAleer (Youth Work Ireland Monaghan) Briege Martin (Youth Work Ireland Monaghan)
Mildred Clarke (Youth Work Ireland Monaghan) Marian Farrell (Carlow Regional Youth Service)
Sean Roche (Clare Youth Service) John Howlin (FDYS Youth Work Ireland)
Frank Costello (Youth Work Ireland Galway) Sheila Thompson (Meath Youth Federation)
