I am Liam. Since retiring a number of years ago, volunteering has become an important and rewarding part of my life. When you retire, all of a sudden you are freed up from the 9 to 5 / 5-day work week - suddenly you have the freedom to say yes to a world of volunteering opportunities. Since I retired a number of years ago my eyes have been opened by all the varied volunteering roles you can enjoy. I’ve had the privilege of helping out with a lot of volunteering activities across Kilkenny. I should add that this is over a 10-year period - it's important to pace yourself! You’ll meet so many wonderful people and be amazed how you can use all of the skills you developed over a lifetime of working (and doing jobs around the house). The surprising thing is that you get as much, if not more, out of volunteering as the great organizations you are helping. Volunteering in retirement offers significant benefits, including improved physical and mental health, reduced loneliness, a renewed sense of purpose, and increased social connections. It takes you out of yourself and helps you stay active and socially engaged. Why not dip your toe in the water and give it a go - Kilkenny Volunteer Centre are always very welcoming and they’ll help you get started.

I am Enya. I am currently a Leaving Certificate Applied secondary school student. I first became involved in volunteering through a school assignment, where we were encouraged to take on a new activity over a 12-week period. What started as a school project quickly became something I genuinely enjoyed and wanted to continue. I began volunteering with Butler Gallery summer in 2025 and have remained actively involved ever since. Over time, I have taken on a variety of roles including welcoming visitors, providing information, supporting exhibitions, assisting with workshops, and helping with guided tours. Volunteering has given me valuable experience, improved my confidence and communication skills, and helped me become more adaptable when working with the public. It has also strengthened my sense of responsibility and teamwork. The experience has had a very positive impact on me. It has helped me grow in confidence, develop employability skills that I have carried into other opportunities, including media and radio work, while also helping me feel more connected to my community. Volunteering has shown me the value of contributing to local cultural spaces and has opened doors to experiences I may not otherwise have had.