• Pa Carey (Leixlip) brightens up his estate and community with a magical Christmas lights extravaganza on his house for visitors and neighbours to enjoy and to raise funds for charity. He hand-makes his decorations all year round and even has Santa come to visit.
• Monasterevin businesswoman Jacinta Kenna has volunteered on parent’s school groups, in the community centre, the Christmas Lights, Women’s Shed, Streetfest, Monasterevin Youth Action to name but a few! Any local activities that are organised, you can be sure to find Jacinta at the heart of it. Along with Sharon Hanly, she runs The Peoples Market (which she also founded). This non-profit group runs a seasonal craft market (Easter, Summer, Halloween and Christmas). Each time they transform the community centre canteen into a community cafe serving handmade treats, with all the proceeds going into the next market. They run raffles for charity and will also provide the cafe for any large events that need it.

• Angela Lane is a retired nurse and lifetime volunteer having acted as a volunteer counsellor for decades. She volunteers with Kildare Alzheimers, local women’s groups, food markets and hosts AONTAS events. Angela also shares knitting and crochet skills with international refugees and asylum seekers in Newbridge.

• North Kildare Carers Support Group provides support, love and cares to for carers and their families. It is where carers can find comfort and knowing that they are not alone. It invites professionals to give important talks relating to social, family and health issues. It also balances carers lives by organising relaxing and fun events. To many carers, this organisation is the second family to them. The support they provide is so important for families struggling with the many issues involved in caring for a loved one.
• Leixlip Youth and Community Centre provides a safe place for people of all ages to go. Somewhere babies, children, teenagers, adults, and elderly can go to socialise and share interests. It is a wonderful place to have in our community run by fantastic, friendly staff and volunteers.

• Kate Monks has been a leader in her local scout group in Kilcullen for almost 10 years and was selected for her support to the younger sections and a super back up to all leaders throughout the group. Kate has always been there for parents, leaders, and the scouts. She is recognised for her inspiration to other leaders and keeping the group motivated, as well as her diligence and management as group treasurer.

• Kildare Wildlife Rescue held the First Kildare Biodiversity Conference was held on 14th October 2023 in The Keadeen Hotel in Newbirdge. Funded with the support of Kildare County Council, this unique event was organised by KWR volunteers and attended by over 100 guests, most of them volunteers of multiple Kildare-based community groups and organisations working towards improving biodiversity in the county.

• Angela Tracey is one of the original members of the Community Volunteers, having been involved in their activities in covid vaccination centres and test centres even since before the group was officially formed. Angela is a regular volunteer and this year also stepped forward to take on additional training to make the programme more accessible and inclusive.

• Aoife and Cáitlin (KARE) Aoife Cully  and Cáitlin Reilly are the first participants from the new partnership between KVCs community volunteers and KARE services to put their hands up and become active members of our community volunteers. Aoife and Cait joined the Community Volunteers in 2024 and have completed their volunteer training and are fully involved in all the community volunteer events and activities. They are specially commended for their courage and community spirit in taking the step forward to become community volunteers, paving the way for others.

Kildare Community Volunteers is a programme where the roles are short term and ad hoc, allowing you to volunteer in a way that both suits your lifestyle and benefits your community.

You will get a chance to volunteer in unique once of community events. Some of the recent events our Community Volunteers have been involved in Brigid1500 events, Junefest in Newbridge and Bealtaine Festival.

You will undertake unique volunteer training with Kildare Volunteer Centre and become a part of our team. You can get involved as often or as little as you like, when it suits your schedule.  You do not have to commit to specific hours every week, they are once off events.

Becoming a Community Volunteer is a great opportunity to get involved in your community and become a part of a core team of volunteers in Kildare. It’s a chance to learn about your local area, meet new people and develop new skills.

For more information about becoming a community volunteer email our Community Volunteer Coordinator John at John@volunteerkildare.ie or call on 0868646698