Picture Gallery: Oxfam celebrates 20 years in Kilkenny

Oxfam Kilkenny celebrated its 20th anniversary last week. The shop first opened on High Street on 6th November 1998, and many of the volunteers have been there since the beginning.

Nearly twenty volunteers currently work in the shop. To thank these hard workers for their years of loyal support, Oxfam hosted a special event for them last Tuesday (November 6). The celebratory party, complete with cake generously provided by Marble City Bar and Tea Rooms,as well as buns donated by SuperValu of Market Cross, saw all volunteers receive a special certificate in recognition of their service.

Tina Muldowney, manager of Oxfam Kilkenny, explains that the volunteers “run the place”. “We wouldn’t have a shop without them.” she praises. The volunteers help out in many ways; from designing window displays, to ironing the donated clothes and arranging stock on the shelves.

The money raised in Oxfam Kilkenny funds the charity’s important work across the world, from the hunger crisis in Yemen to the tsunami and earthquake in Indonesia. All items sold make a positive difference in Oxfam’s work.

Many of the shop’s volunteers are part of the Tús initiative and the Community Employment (CE) programme, both designed to help people who are long-term unemployed or otherwise disadvantaged to get back to work by offering temporary job placements based within local communities.

The volunteers are a very united team, and have a wonderful relationship amongst themselves. “Volunteering in the shop is a great way to meet new people of different age groups and different cultures” Tina explains. “Friendships grow here. There’s a lovely harmony and trust. All staff and volunteers have their own input into the place. Everyone has a role.”

As well as thanking the volunteers, Oxfam Kilkenny wish to thank the generous Kilkenny locals who have supported the shop over the years.