We are delighted to welcome Kim Merrifield as the new Manager of Mayo Volunteer Centre. Kim brings a wealth of experience in the community sector, most recently with the North Mayo LEADER team, supporting local groups and enterprises to access vital project funding.
Before that, Kim served as a District Partnership Manager with Early Help and Preventative Services at Kent County Council in the UK. She holds an MA in Community Development, a BA in Philosophy, Sociology & Politics, and a Higher Diploma in Women’s Studies from NUI Galway.
We’re excited to have Kim on board and look forward to the journey ahead. Kim takes over from Lesley Moore who retired from the mangers position after 5 years.
Kim hit the ground running as National Volunteering Week kicked of just after her appointment with several events though out the week from our heartwarming project with the Mayo Hospice, the Ballina District Hospital Rejuvenation project, to a beach clean and wildlife presentation with our community volunteers out in Geesala, along with training and volunteer stories! Since taking up her appointment the Mayo Volunteer centre also held a Volunteer Appreciation Event at St Dympna’s School as a thank you for the schools part in the Global Kitchen – a multicultural cooking event that is a part of the Ballina Fringe Festival and our community volunteers supported several events, such as the West of Ireland marathon, the pink ribbon cycle, the Mary Robinson Climate conference, and the Mayo Volunteer Centre won 2 awards for the Community Volunteers support at the St Patrick Day parades.
Kim says, ‘It has been busy, and as a new manager I am of course on a steep learning curve. However, I feel I was very lucky to join such an exceptional team at the Mayo Volunteer Centre. The commitment, enthusiasm and professionalism that the team bring to their work, has made the transition to the managers role only not only easier, but has also inspired me to foster, develop and support the meaningful work the Mayo Volunteer Centre do. Lesley clearly led the team with dedication and stepping into the managers role within the above context has been a joy’.
conference, and the Mayo Volunteer Centre won 2 awards for the Community Volunteers support at the St Patrick Day parades.
Kim says, ‘It has been busy, and as a new manager I am of course on a steep learning curve. However, I feel I was very lucky to join such an exceptional team at the Mayo Volunteer Centre. The commitment, enthusiasm and professionalism that the team bring to their work, has made the transition to the managers role only not only easier, but has also inspired me to foster, develop and support the meaningful work the Mayo Volunteer Centre do. Lesley clearly led the team with dedication and stepping into the managers role within the above context has been a joy’.
