The fab five – giving back and making a difference
Volunteering is a great way to help your local community, take on new challenges and achieve personal goals.
Within the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, a large community of volunteers are involved in a range of roles and services, including some from Day Opportunities who are making a difference in their local community.
Among those who give back in this way are Lee, Kerry, Chris, Annette and Sandra who all give up their free time to help in the Action Cancer store located in the heart of Carrickfergus.
Supported by shop manager Shirley Kearney, they willingly come in every week, and sometimes twice a week, to sort through donations and assist with various tasks involved in running a busy shop.
Day Opportunities Coordinator, Sarah Mildenhall, said it has been a very positive experience for everyone involved: “Some of our service users had previous experience working in other charity shop environments but for others this was their first step into the world of retail with the ambition of progressing into employment.
“We sought out volunteering opportunities and supported each of them as they settled into their roles. It has been very encouraging to see how they have developed, and we remain on hand to offer ongoing support, a friendly face and listening ear and it is fantastic to see that they have become an integral part of the shop team.”
Alongside their volunteering responsibilities, Lee, Kerry, Chris, Annette and Sandra are kept busy during the week with a range of other social outlets, activities and responsibilities made possible through Day Opportunities. This includes Carrickfergus Base, where they can meet other friends, time spent at Trust-funded social enterprises at Access Employment Limited in Larne and Triangle Housing Association’s Alternative Angles, and for some of them, paid employment in local businesses.
The fab five have also been actively involved in various accredited and leisure courses through the Northern Regional College, Access Employment Limited and Belfast Works Connect. They lead active social lives attending various clubs and societies, including a Special Olympics club while Annette has been a Mencap NI Ambassador for many years.
Day Opportunities Coordinator, Allen Rankin added: “We are incredibly proud of what Lee, Kerry, Chris, Annette and Sandra have achieved in all aspects of their lives, as well as their continued commitment to Action Cancer. Shirley’s support has been invaluable since the very beginning, and she has been instrumental in making this opportunity a huge success. It’s apt to be celebrating her part in this as she prepares for retirement after 21 years. We know she will be sorely missed, but our volunteers will not forget her kindness and will continue to carry on her good work.”
Within the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, the Day Opportunities service supports adults with a learning disability to ensure they can live life to the fullest and achieve their true potential.
As the service marks its 20th anniversary, the Trust is showcasing how it has helped to transform lives through the power of opportunity by sharing the experiences of service users like Lee, Kerry, Chris, Annette and Sandra.
Read more inspiring stories in this series.
Pictured above, left to right, Lee, Kerry, Shop Manager Shirley Kearney, Chris, Annette and Sandra.
18th September 2025
