We are proud to announce the winners and runners up in Irish in Britain’s 2025 Volunteer Awards. We created these annual awards in 2018 to help shine a spotlight on the people across Britain who volunteer their time and skills and experience to our member organisations every day.
Without the commitment of volunteers, the vital services and support our members provide in their local communities would not be possible.
Here are this year’s winners, but the margins were very close among the many strong nominations, we want to thank everyone who took part.
Our Awards ceremony will take place at the Irish Cultural Centre, Hammersmith on Thursday 5 June.
We want to express our gratitude to our event sponsors Clover HR and to our three judges: John Jolly, Christina Lake and Deborah Forster who returned once again to the very difficult task of choosing the winners and runners up this year.
Outstanding Individual Volunteer
This year's individual winner is Lorraine Dance who volunteers weekly at The Irish Cultural Centre, Hammersmith. "She is at centre's front desk to welcome visitors and stands out as someone who goes above and beyond. She brings a real positivity and joy to her work and makes everyone who comes to the ICC feel included."
Individual Volunteer Runner up – Bartley Duggan, Irish Elderly Advice Network
Individual Volunteer Runner up – Pamela O’Neill, Jersey Irish Society
Outstanding Trustee Volunteer
Rachael Loftus, Chairperson of Leeds Irish Health and Homes, is the winner of the 2025 Trustee Award. "Rachael has been an active, passionate member of the Irish community for many years steering our trustees and the organisation Leeds Irish Health and Homes through both successful and challenging times. Rachael has been with Leeds Irish Health & Homes on the Board since 2003."
Runner Up Trustee Volunteer – Aileen Wiswell MBE, Irish Community Care (Merseyside)
Runner Up Trustee Volunteer – Anne O’ Rourke, Lewisham Irish Community Centre
Outstanding Volunteer Group
The History Research Group, Liverpool Irish Festival are the winners of this year's group award. "This group of six to eight volunteers have researched sites across the Liverpool Irish Famine Trail to help us release information in our app and a new Liverpool University Press peer reviewed book. Every time they engage, they do so with deep commitment, grace and diplomacy and we are eternally grateful to them for sharing their wisdom – and sometimes personal stories – with us."
Volunteer Group Runner up – The Irish Community Care Manchester Allotment Group
Volunteer Group Runner up – Brent Active Ageing Clubs Volunteers, Brent Irish Advisory Service
Outstanding Young Volunteer
Alanna Witney and Delsey Witney, sisters, are joint winners of this year's Young Volunteer Awards volunteer with Luton Irish Forum. "They are making significant contributions to raising awareness about the Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller community. Drawing from their lived experiences as individuals of mixed Romani and Irish Traveller heritage. They inspire others by empowering their community, challenging stereotypes and influencing policy changes."
Runner up Young Volunteer, Ivan Lau – Irish Community Care Manchester
David O’Keeffe, Special Recognition Award
We are very pleased to announce that the winner of this year's Special Recognition Award is Tom Scanlon, of Luton Irish Forum.
Tom has been an integral part of the board of trustees for Luton Irish Forum for 16 years, serving as Chair for the last eight years.
Under his leadership, Luton Irish Forum has gained a reputation for promoting equity, diversity and inclusion. Tom has been a strong advocate for minority groups and recognising their contributions to the wider community, particularly the Irish Traveller community.
Tom's leadership, marked by integrity and a hands-on approach has inspired many others.
The Award Tom will be presented with was created by Irish in Britain in memory of the late David O’Keeffe, who was the General Manager of the Irish Cultural Centre until his sudden death in 2019.
David had a distinguished career in community arts and media and championed our unique cultural contribution here in Britain. The recipient is chosen by the Irish in Britain team and is now an annual feature of the awards.
We look forward to welcoming all the winners and finalists to the Volunteer Awards ceremony.
Sponsors
We want to express our gratitude to all our generous sponsors, supporters and partners:
Our Emerald event sponsors - Clover HR
Our sponsor of our Young Volunteer Award - Moreland Investments Limited
Our sponsor of our Individual Award - Leading Minds
Our Sponsor for our Trustee Award - Innisfree Housing Association
Our sponsor for Group Award - Galway Irish Crystal