Waterford’s Antoinette Coffey, Community Support Officer for the Irish Red Cross Waterford Area, has been shortlisted for the Community Support Volunteer of the Year Award 2025.
Dedicated Service Across the Waterford Area
Since joining the Portlaw Branch in 2011, Antoinette has been an active and essential member of the Red Cross, playing a central role in monitoring and responding to risks faced by vulnerable people across Waterford.
During severe weather events, she worked around the clock to deliver bottled water, groceries, and medications to those in need. She even coordinated electricity support for residents affected by power cuts, ensuring every request for help received a response.
Supporting Mental Health and Refugee Integration
As a trained Community Psychological Provider and instructor, Antoinette has supported countless individuals with emotional care and resilience training.
When refugees arrived from Ukraine in 2022, she led local welcoming efforts from the first day, continuing to assist families in Dungarvan and West Waterford.
Her training in Psychological First Aid and Patient Handling has been vital in her support work.
Commitment Beyond the Red Cross
Antoinette also volunteers as a 24/7 on-call member of the Cardiac First Response Group in Dungarvan. Her colleagues describe her as compassionate, selfless, and always working quietly behind the scenes without seeking recognition.
Irish Red Cross Awards Celebrate Volunteerism
The Irish Red Cross National Volunteer Awards 2025 will celebrate outstanding volunteers from across Ireland at a ceremony in Croke Park on 29 November. Categories include Volunteer of the Year, Young Volunteer of the Year, Community Support Volunteer of the Year, Instructor of the Year, and Lifetime Achievement Award.
The awards honour those who deliver first aid, support isolated individuals, assist during severe weather, and bring comfort to vulnerable communities.
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