As part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, the Fermanagh Trust is honouring 30 remarkable individuals whose commitment to their communities has made a lasting difference. Each awardee receives a £1,000 bursary to benefit the organisation or cause they’re involved with. A gift that celebrates their service while investing in the future. Categories for the Civic Honour Awards include: Inspirational Young Person: for those under 30 making a standout impact, and Community Impact & Legacy: for those with 30+ years of service volunteering in their community.
18-year-old Rachel Browne is being recognised in the Inspirational Young Person category for her exceptional dedication to volunteering and her remarkable role at the ARC Healthy Living Centre’s Summer Scheme in Irvinestown. For the past six years, Rachel has been at the heart of the programme, bringing compassion, leadership, and creativity to hundreds of children who have taken part.
Fermanagh Civic Honour recipient Rachel Browne
“My mum dragged me out to volunteer at the Park Run in Enniskillen. That’s maybe when my volunteering journey really started,” she laughs. “My football team were asked if any of us wanted to help with the Summer Scheme. I went along and loved it, especially working with kids.”
Since then, Rachel has poured hours each summer into the scheme, offering not only her time but also her energy, humour, and musical talents. “When I added it up, I’d done 123 hours this summer, but it doesn’t feel like work, it’s just so much fun. We play games and do all sorts of activities,” she says. “There were about 50 volunteers this year. I met people I never would have met otherwise and made friends outside of school.”
Music has been a big part of her contribution. “I love music, so I brought in my guitar. Some of the kids and leaders sang along, and we even organised a little talent show. It was a real highlight.” Her creativity has brought joy to the children and inspired others to explore their own talents, making her an important role model in the programme.
But for Rachel, volunteering is also about the bigger picture. “Anyone can volunteer. It’s so rewarding because you come home knowing you’ve done something productive with your day. It gives you structure and routine,” she reflects. “A lot of young people probably think they’re too cool to volunteer, but it’s helped me develop so many skills. It’s experience that will help later when I’m applying for jobs or adding to my CV. I’ve learned so much about teamwork. If you’re thinking about volunteering, just go and do it, don’t wait for someone else to step up.”
Her empathy and leadership have been particularly impactful for children with special educational needs and disabilities, helping them feel included, confident, and part of the group. “It’s lovely for the children to meet kids from other schools. It’s so cute seeing them make new friends,” she says. “The Summer Scheme has a big impact on Irvinestown, for the children, the parents and for us as volunteers. It’s great to be part of that.”
Rachel’s future aspirations have already been shaped by her experiences. “Receiving this award feels amazing. I didn’t expect anything like this. It’s nice to be recognised,” she says. “I’ll be giving my bursary award to the ARC Healthy Living Centre.”
Looking back on her journey so far, she feels fortunate to have grown up in a community rich with opportunities for young people to get involved. “Opportunities for young people to volunteer aren’t always easy to find, but we’re lucky in Irvinestown with so much activity happening here.”
Through her compassion, creativity, and unwavering dedication, Rachel has already made a lasting difference to the lives of countless children and hopefully her story will go some way to inspire the next generation of volunteers in Fermanagh.
Please be advised that applications for the Fermanagh Civic Honour Awards are now closed. All 30 recipients have been selected.