A young carer in Tuam and Galway’s Rape Crisis Centre have been shortlisted in the 16th annual Volunteer Ireland Awards.
All finalists will be honoured at a national awards ceremony to be held in Limerick Racecourse next month, where Ireland’s Volunteer of the Year 2023 will be announced.
Sarah Ann Budy from Tuam has been shortlisted in the Children and Youth category, while the GRCC’s Psychological Supporter Team has been shortlisted in the Small Group category.
Commenting on the shortlist, Galway Volunteer Centre Manager Donncha Foley said:
“We never cease to be amazed by the passion and dedication of volunteers in Galway,” says Donnacha Foley who heads up the Galway Volunteer Centre on William Street West. “The impact they have on our communities is incalculable, whether it’s bringing joy to the elderly through song, creating community gardens or supporting children who are sick in hospital.”
Foley says the national awards are a rare opportunity to recognise unsung heroes who give their time freely to others.
“The two Galway nominees on the shortlist are just a snapshot of the wide breadth and diversity of volunteering that happens in our county and city every day.”
With 38 nominees across 12 categories, the shortlist includes volunteers aged 15 up to 80 across 11 counties.
Fifteen-year-old Sarah Ann Buday has been volunteering with Young Carers Ireland for two years. When her sister was born with serious health concerns, Sarah took on caring duties, but also became a youth advocate, addressed an Oireachtas Committee in March, and participated in university research in caregiving at UCC and UCL. She won a Galway Gardai Divisional Youth Awards earlier this year.
The Psychological Supporter Team is a group of 21 specially-trained volunteers operating within the Galway Rape Crisis Centre. They provide independent psychological support within the HSE’s Sexual Assault Treatment Unit for people of all genders and ages who have recently experienced trauma. They operate 24 hours per day, 365 days per year and support more than 100 survivors each year. The Galway team noted an increase in demand for their services during Covid.
