Strabane’s Abby-Lee is ‘Young Volunteer of the Year’

A young Strabane woman and volunteer youth worker, who is passionate about making youth work a career, was ecstatic this week after winning a prestigious award.

Nineteen-year-old Abby-Lee Killackey picked up the Education Authority’s ‘Young Volunteer of the Year Award’ at a ceremony in Derry’s Millennium Forum.

Abby-Lee, who has been involved with youth working from the age of 11, said, “I’ve been interested in youth work since my friend invited me to come along to the drop-in at Lisnafin/Ardnalee Community Centre eight years ago. After seeing what the youth workers did for young people in the area, I knew that it was exactly the career in which I wanted to be involved… Youth work is such a heart-warming experience and it’s great to give something back to the community.

“I’ve been fortunate enough that my work has allowed me to travel to France and London to see how their youth system works, and I could be off to Barcelona soon as well. The trips were all about getting to know people, but I couldn’t believe how youth organisations in London were, compared to us in Strabane; we have so much more whereas they have to fight for every little thing.”

Abby-Lee’s tireless voluntary work for the youth of Strabane didn’t go unnoticed and was stunned when she found out that she was put forward for an award.

She continued, “The youth worker in Lisnafin, Paddy McColgan, actually put me forward for the award without telling me. I first found out when a camera crew came to the drop-in to do some shooting and interviewed some of the kids at the centre about me and what I did for them. I was very proud, and very humbled, to know what I was doing was receiving recognition.”

An awards ceremony followed, where Abby-Lee went up against six other volunteers from Derry.

“It was a very proud moment when they called out my name,” she admitted. “I was a bit overwhelmed when I heard it at first but it means so much and I am privileged that what I am doing is getting noticed. All the family were delighted when I came home and told them the news!

“This has spurred me on to achieve what I want to in the field of youth work.”

Currently Abby-Lee is working towards her Level 3 qualification in Youth Work in Urney Road’s Strabane Youth Resource Centre.