We’re incredibly grateful for people like Maebh who choose to volunteer with Simon Community. Our volunteers play a vital role across our services, helping us to support people experiencing or at risk of homelessness across Northern Ireland. We caught up with Maebh to hear about her experience of volunteering and how her marathon training is going so far.
“Sport has always played a big role in my life from a young age. Because of that, I went on to carve out a career as a Strength & Conditioning Coach. Outside of sport and fitness, I love being an aunty, spending time with my family and friends, and finding new coffee spots to enjoy.”
Reflecting on how she first connected with Simon Community, Maebh said, “It all started about eight years ago when I attended a One Big Sleep Out. That experience made me more aware of how many people are affected by homelessness in our country. Since then, the staff have always been so welcoming and genuinely grateful for any contribution I’ve made, which has made it a really lovely charity to be part of.”
Speaking about what volunteering means to her, she added, “I’m grateful to have the opportunity to support people who are going through difficult times. Volunteering is something that’s really important to me, and being able to do that within my own community makes it even more worthwhile.”
Over time, that experience has shaped her perspective. “Through volunteering, I’ve gained a much better understanding of the challenges people can face day to day. Having a place where you feel safe is something many of us might take for granted, but that’s not the reality for everyone.”
One experience in particular has stayed with her. “My time as a ‘Move On Coach’ has really stayed with me. It highlighted how challenging it can be for people moving from temporary accommodation into their own home, and everything that comes with that transition.”
Alongside her volunteering, Maebh has also taken on a new challenge—running the Belfast City Marathon in support of Simon Community. Speaking about what inspired her to sign up, she said, “Runners high… haha! After running a half marathon in Marrakesh in January, I saw Simon Community’s call for runners. Combining something I love with a charity I think highly of was a no brainer. There’s something special about running through a city where there’s such a real need for support.”
With race day approaching, her training is well underway. “I’m running three times a week, alongside strength training, and I’m about six weeks out now. Each week brings the longest run yet, which can feel daunting. But I remind myself that everyone faces their own challenges, and that perspective keeps me putting one foot in front of the other.”
Encouraging others who might be thinking about volunteering or fundraising to get involved, she said, “Simon Community are great to work with and always so appreciative of any support. They make a real difference to people’s lives, and to be part of that in any way is a privilege.”
And for Maebh, it all comes back to one simple belief: “I volunteer because everyone should have a place where they feel safe and can call it home.”
There are lots of ways to get involved. Find out more about volunteering or running for Simon Community and how you can support people in your community.