I started volunteering with the Street Outreach Team during my college work placement with NOVAS and have continued to volunteer as well as working full time with NOVAS in McGarry House as a project worker.

I have always had a passion for helping vulnerable people. During my placement with NOVAS, I saw first-hand the difference that support can make for someone in crisis. It was this experience that inspired me to continue volunteering for my community.

I believe that every person deserves dignity, compassion and support, especially during difficult times.

A typical night as street outreach volunteer starts at Brother Russell House, where a volunteer driver brings the outreach van to our meeting point on William Street. We prepare hot meals and drinks before people begin to arrive.

There is normally a big turnout. We serve dinners donated from Greenhills Hotel or other donors, along with bags of fruit, sandwiches, soup and bread, and flasks of tea and coffee. We also take time to talk to people. Clients often build strong relationships with us as volunteers and staff. They begin to trust us and feel safe confiding in us. It’s quite common for people to open up about struggles they’re facing with their mental health.

One experience that stands out to me was when we helped a man who had been sleeping rough for weeks during the freezing weather. He had lost contact with his family and didn’t have any ID or access to support services in Limerick.

That night we gave him hot food and a sleeping bag. Over time we supported him in reconnecting with services and securing emergency accommodation through NOVAS.

It was a powerful reminder of how vital these outreach efforts are for people in extremely vulnerable situations.

We currently need a new van. The van is essential for transporting food and supplies, but it is becoming unreliable. At times it won’t even start.

The van is also quite cramped, especially when we are carrying a full load of food and equipment. A larger van would allow us to transport more supplies, serve more people, and work more efficiently, particularly during bad weather or on very busy nights.

NOVAS help a lot of people through their work and I wanted to be a part of it.

I have recently accepted a place on the Community and Addiction Studies – BA (Hons), Level 8 degree at the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS). I will begin my studies this September. While pursuing my degree, I will continue working and volunteering with NOVAS. I am proud to stay involved with the community and support those experiencing homelessness.