Teams

Aoife recently joined Volunteer Now and will be working on the new Adult Safeguarding in Sport service. She will be supporting organisations to create safe, inclusive environments and promote good Adult Safeguarding practice across sport.

Jackie joined the Board of Volunteer Now in 2026. Jackie is the headteacher at a large secondary school in Belfast, and is currently on secondment to the National Association of Headteachers. She provides strategic leadership and overall management to ensure the highest standards of learning, teaching and pupil development. She is dedicated to ensuring learning goes beyond the classroom, and volunteering is a vital source for this. Jackie is also a council member of CCEA, and a vice-Chair on a Board of Governors.

Elise Smyth

Youth Engagement Co-Ordinator

Elise has recently joined Volunteer Now and comes with a range of experience in law, youth work, communications and social justice. Elise has volunteered since a young age and looks forward to promoting and supporting volunteering to other young people through this role.

Kevin joined Volunteer Now's Board in March 2026.  He brings his 28 years experience of community banking with Ulster Bank. After many successful years as a Manager with Ulster Bank, Kevin is continuing his career with Citi Bank. Kevin has a long-standing passion for community sport, having volunteered extensively in the rugby and swimming sectors. His experience includes: supporting youth and community rugby programmes, assisting with swimming events, training sessions and club activities, promoting participation, teamwork, and positive sporting values.

Toby Brusey

Communications Manager

Toby joins Volunteer Now with a wealth of experience in marketing, communications and digital media. With a background spanning the charity and commercial sectors, Toby has led strategic campaigns, strengthened audience engagement and delivered effective targeted outreach initiatives.

Hannah works as a solicitor in Edwards Solicitors in Belfast. Hannah specialises in a range of areas including charities and social enterprises, company, corporate and commercial contracts. Hannah graduated from Queen’s University Belfast and has been working in various roles in the legal sector since 2016 including working as a legal assistant in Boston and Belfast. Hannah has experience in providing charity governance and compliance advice and is committed to supporting Volunteer Now’s mission and long-term sustainability.

Peter joined the Board of Volunteer Now in 2025. Having graduated from the University of Glasgow with a degree in Politics, Peter subsequently trained and worked as a maths teacher in South Tyneside as part of the TeachFirst programme. He then changed career, studying law at Queen’s University before qualifying as a solicitor with Cleaver Fulton Rankin in Belfast. Peter specialises in planning and environmental law, with a particular emphasis on regulatory and public law issues. Peter has volunteered extensively over the last number of years, particularly with the South Belfast Foodbank, which has instilled a passion for the work of the sector and an understanding of its importance to a healthy society.

Elizabeth is a trade unionist in the education sector, having moved across from the political scene.  Elizabeth is the lead organising and campaigning officer in Northern Ireland and understands the importance of valuing and investing in volunteers.  She is a PTA trustee for a local primary school and serves as a governor for a post primary school. Elizabeth enjoys musical theatre and volunteers with arts groups in her home town.

Emma has over a decade of experience in volunteer engagement within the heritage, culture, and arts sectors. She has worked with charities, local government, and arms-length bodies to design programmes that strengthen communities and promote inclusion. Her expertise includes people management, partnership building, and strategic project management, offering insight into volunteering operations and governance. In her current role as Volunteering Development Officer at National Museums NI, Emma leads initiatives that embed volunteering into organisational culture, positioning volunteers as integral to strategic success and fostering inclusion across all levels. She holds a degree in Social Anthropology, where her research explored volunteer impact on environmental projects. Emma is committed to ensuring the sustainability and strategic impact of volunteering through her work with Volunteer Now.