Who we are
We’re a passionate team committed to the positive impact volunteering has on individuals, communities, and organisations.
Board Members
Olga McGettigan
Trustee
Staff members
Denise Hayward
Chief Executive Officer
E: denise.hayward@volunteernow.co.uk
M: 07850 851814
Denise Hayward
Chief Executive Officer
Denise has been Chief Executive with Volunteer Now since August 2017 and prior to that Director of Engagement since 2010. She has extensive experience in supporting volunteer involvement. She has wide ranging expertise in public and organisational volunteering policy development, volunteering research and supporting good practice in volunteering. She is experienced in third sector governance issues through many years working at a senior level in the voluntary and community sector. Denise is an active volunteer for Portadown YMCA, Armagh Rural Transport and Belfast Central Mission.
Nicole Fitzsimons
PA to CEO
Nicole not only provides PA support to Denise and the Board members but also supports the finance team.
Communications Team
Julie-Ann Ashe
Communications & Impact Officer
E: julie-ann.ashe@volunteernow.co.uk
T: 028 9023 2020
Julie-Ann Ashe
Communications & Impact Officer
Julie-Ann works behind the scenes with Lynne and Kate to ensure that our information, promotional materials and communications are reflective of our work and meets the needs of our members. Measuring the impact is also key and Julie-Ann will be working with Lynne to highlight the positive impact that we make as an organisation.
Lynne Jardine
Communications & Impact Officer
E: lynne.jardine@volunteernow.co.uk
T: 028 9023 2020
Lynne Jardine
Communications & Impact Officer
Lynne works behind the scenes with Julie-Ann and Kate to ensure that our information, promotional materials and communications are reflective of our work and meets the needs of our members. Measuring the impact is also key and Lynne will be working with Julie-Ann to highlight the positive impact that we make as an organisation.
Kate Jackson
Digital Media Assistant
Kate brings volunteer stories and volunteer involvement to life through her reels and content. Sharing real stories, roles and impact is important in encouraging others to get involved, to share the reasons why people keep volunteering and the positive impact their time makes to others.
Community Engagement Team
Jane Gribbin
Community Engagement Manager
E: jane.gribbin@volunteernow.co.uk
M: 07850 851825
Jane Gribbin
Community Engagement Manager
Jane has been part of Volunteer Now—and previously the Volunteer Development Agency—for over 19 years, bringing a wealth of experience and dedication to the voluntary sector. Her commitment to volunteering spans a lifetime, having taken on a wide range of roles throughout the years.
David Moore
Volunteering Development Officer
E: David.Moore@volunteernow.co.uk
M: 07850 851823
David Moore
Volunteering Development Officer
David has extensive experience in managing volunteers and delivering programmes. David manages the Volunteering Support Officers covering the areas of Antrim and Newtownabbey; Ards and North Down; Belfast; Lisburn and Castlereagh and Mid and East Antrim Council areas.
Raquel Rodrigues Keenan
Volunteering Development Officer
E: raquel.rodrigues.keenan@volunteernow.co.uk
M: 07585 110855
Raquel Rodrigues Keenan
Volunteering Development Officer
Raquel has extensive experience in recruiting, managing and supporting volunteers as well as in delivering training. Raquel manages the Armagh, Dungannon, Newry Mourne and Down and Fermanagh Council areas.
Aislinn Byrne
Volunteering Support Officer
Belfast, Ards & North Down, Lisburn & Castlereagh council areas
E: aislinn.byrne@volunteernow.co.uk
M: 07850 851830
Aislinn Byrne
Volunteering Support Officer
Belfast, Ards & North Down, Lisburn & Castlereagh council areas
Aislinn has just joined the Volunteer Now team and is passionate about making a difference. Aislinn has volunteered from a young age and also supports young people in her local youth club.
Bronagh Demeillers
Volunteering Support Officer
Newry, Mourne and Down
E: bronagh.demeillers@volunteernow.co.uk
M: 07708 077954
Wenda Gray
Volunteering Support Officer
Mid & East Antrim and Antrim & Newtownabbey council areas
E: wenda.gray@volunteernow.co.uk
M: 07850 851811
Wenda Gray
Volunteering Support Officer
Mid & East Antrim and Antrim & Newtownabbey council areas
Wenda has been with Volunteer Now for 15 years and is well known in her areas for her passion for volunteering, commitment to good practice and for getting involved in initiatives that will make a local difference.
Jamie Greer
Volunteering Support Officer
Belfast, Ards & North Down, Lisburn & Castlereagh council areas
E: jamie.greer@volunteernow.co.uk
M: 07850 851824
Jamie Greer
Volunteering Support Officer
Belfast, Ards & North Down, Lisburn & Castlereagh council areas
Jamie has undertaken different roles within Volunteer Now and within other charities within the sector however all have focussed on making a positive difference in the lives of others. Jamie is an expert in our Be Collective platform too!
Suzanne Hunt
Volunteering Support Officer
Fermanagh
E: suzanne.hunt@volunteernow.co.uk
M: 07467 486638
Suzanne Hunt
Volunteering Support Officer
Fermanagh
Suzanne has recently joined Volunteer Now and comes with a strong commitment to community development particularly in rural areas like Fermanagh.
Community Projects Team
Lindsay Armstrong
Community Projects Manager
E: lindsay.armstrong@volunteernow.co.uk
M: 07850 851818
Lindsay Armstrong
Community Projects Manager
Lindsay is passionate about making a difference particularly in the lives of older people and those most vulnerable in the community. Lindsay is a strong advocate of good practice in volunteer recruitment and management as the impact of her team’s work can be witnessed through the amazing impact that is achieved.
Andrew Hanna
Events Officer
Andrew works closely with Clara within our Events Team. We have a database of over 1000 volunteers who support our key events throughout the year. These events include Balmoral Show, Wake the Giant in Warrenpoint and the School Summit also at the Eikon Centre. This year Andrew is recruiting and training the volunteers for the 153rd Open in Portrush and then will be doing the same for the All Ireland Fleadh which is coming to Belfast in 2026 and 2027
Clara O’Callaghan
Events Officer
Clara works closely with Andrew within our Events Team. We have a database of over 1000 volunteers who support our key events throughout the year. These events include Balmoral Show, Wake the Giant in Warrenpoint and the School Summit also at the Eikon Centre. This year Clara is recruiting, training and managing the volunteers for the 153rd Open in Portrush and then will be doing the same for the All-Ireland Fleadh which is coming to Belfast in 2026 and 2027
Lauren Harrison-Hogan
Project Officer
E: lauren.harrison-hogan@volunteernow.co.uk
M: 07850 851819
Deirdre Murphy
Project Officer
Deirdre supports the capacity building initiatives within Volunteer Now and works closely with the older peoples forums in North and West Belfast. Deirdre works closely with key service providers to organise health fairs, volunteering activities and programmes to reduce isolation and loneliness amongst older people.
Victoria O’Neill
Project Officer
Victoria manages the befriending scheme within Volunteer Now. Victoria recruits and manages the volunteers ensuring that they have the training and support to undertake their role. Victoria also chairs the NI Befriending Network which Volunteer Now facilitates.
Judith Ming
Volunteer Transport Officer
Judith manages the volunteering scheme in Ards and North Down. Based in Bangor Judith recruits, manages and supports the volunteers who ensure that looked after children are able to attend school and necessary appointments.
Corporate Services Team
Kelli Cleland
Corporate Services Manager
E: kelli.cleland@volunteernow.co.uk
T: 028 9023 2020
Ciara Smyth, ACCA
Management Accountant
E: ciara.smyth@volunteernow.co.uk
T: 028 9023 2020
Ciara Smyth, ACCA
Management Accountant
Ciara manages the internal finances of Volunteer Now and the Enterprises ensuring that returns are complete and all data is inputted appropriately.
Sandra Faulkner
Administration Officer
E: sandra.faulkner@volunteernow.co.uk
T: 028 9023 2020
Sandra Faulkner
Administration Officer
Sandra will answer your phone calls on a Tuesday and Wednesday as supports the Community Engagement team updating opportunity sheets, new memberships, sending out welcome emails, and collating and forwarding new members details for Trustee meetings, VConnect and VTraining newssheets.
Deborah Kyburz
Administration Officer
E: deborah.kyburz@volunteernow.co.uk
T: 028 9023 2020
Victoria Price
Administration Officer
E: victoria.price@volunteernow.co.uk
T: 028 9023 2020
Victoria Price
Administration Officer
Victoria is responsible for in house safeguarding training and the contact for our Access NI Umbrella Body service, updating documents and forms, answering queries and registering groups with the service. Victoria also supports the Volunteering programmes team with their services and at events
Pamela Higgins
Receptionist / Administration Officer
E: pamela.higgins@volunteernow.co.uk
T: 028 9023 2020
Pamela Higgins
Receptionist / Administration Officer
Pamela supports the team by continuing to make check-in calls to members of the Greater Shankill and West Belfast Senior Citizens Forums; keeps records and registrations for the events and keeps track of the small grants information.
Safeguarding Team
Ruth Mulholland
Safeguarding Manager
E: ruth.mulholland@volunteernow.co.uk
M: 07467 486639
Ruth Mulholland
Safeguarding Manager
Ruth is committed to ensuring that volunteer involving organisations, public and private sector bodies are aware of their obligation to keep adults and children safe.
Roisin Timlin
Training & Development Officer
E: roisin.timlin@volunteernow.co.uk
M: 07587 656962
Roisin Timlin
Training & Development Officer
Roisin is an experienced trainer within Volunteer Now and delivers safeguarding training, online support and good practice guidance for volunteer involving organisations.
Volunteer Now Enterprises Ltd
Alice O’Boyle
Business Development Coordinator
E: alice.oboyle@volunteernow.co.uk
M: 07999 118131
Alice O’Boyle
Business Development Coordinator
Alice has a range of experiences within the voluntary sector and through her time with Volunteer Now has gained vast experiences in the development and delivery of training to meet ongoing needs. Alice is committed to delivering excellence and ensures that the VNE offer is a quality service.
Youth Work, Heroes+
Rebecca Brannigan
Youth Worker, Heroes+
E: rebecca.brannigan@volunteernow.co.uk
M: 07708 078544
Jennifer McAlpin
Assistant Youth Worker, Heroes+
E: jennifer.mcalpin@volunteernow.co.uk
M: 07708 074209
Jennifer McAlpin
Assistant Youth Worker, Heroes+
Jennifer is a part of a dynamic team who are delivering personal development, employability and skills programme to young people with additional support needs and those who have been excluded from mainstream education. Heroes+ is funded by Peace + and Volunteer Now is part of a consortium with Mencap as the lead partner.
Caoimhe Tumelty
Assistant Youth Worker, Heroes+
E: caoimhe.tumelty@volunteernow.co.uk
M: 07708 074209
Shane Laverty
Assistant Youth Worker, Heroes+
E: Shane.Laverty@volunteernow.co.uk
M: 07708 074210
Vacancies
Volunteer Now have no current vacancies. Keep checking though!
