National honour for ‘comfort and support’ given by Kilkenny's Teac Tom Listeners

A group of volunteers with Teac Tom have been honoured with the Outstanding Small Group award at the national Volunteer Ireland Awards.
The awards celebrate Ireland’s outstanding volunteers.

The Volunteer Listeners embody the heart of Teac Tom’s vision: to provide a listening ear, a kind word and a space of safety for anyone who is struggling with their mental health. Their work reflects the belief that compassion, freely given, has the power to change- and save -lives.

The impact of this group extends far beyond the immediate phone call. By being available after hours, they help de-escalate crises and provide early intervention that can prevent self-harm or suicide.

Many callers express that they “just needed someone to talk to,” and the listeners are that someone - steady, kind and understanding.

While professional counselling is available through Teac Tom during the day, it is the Volunteer Listeners who extend the organisation’s lifeline into the night hours when people are most likely to feel overwhelmed, alone and in crisis.

Their willingness to volunteer their nights, to listen to stories of pain and confusion and to do so week after week without expectation of reward, is an extraordinary act of service.

Angela Hayes CEO of Teac Tom said: “It was an incredible honour to see our charity recognised across three categories at the Volunteer Ireland Awards but our volunteers winning the “Small Group” category for the Listening Support service was one of the proudest moments of my life.

“This win is a powerful tribute to the volunteers who give their time, their compassion and their strength to those who need it most. Our volunteers are the heart of Teac Tom, they offer hope, comfort and support during difficult moments in people’s lives, and this award rightfully shines a light on their extraordinary dedication. We are deeply proud of them.”

Salena Grace, Manager of Kilkenny Volunteer Centre noted: “This wonderful win by Teac Tom volunteers is a perfect example of so many volunteers across the country who play a critical and often unseen role in our society. We are so lucky to have volunteers like this group in Kilkenny. I’d like to congratulate them and all of this year’s nominees for making such an important contribution to our communities.”

The Volunteer Ireland Awards are the national awards for volunteering in Ireland and shine a light on the ordinary people doing extraordinary things in our communities every day. The 2025 Volunteer Ireland Awards are made possible thanks to the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and Healthy Ireland.