BEST COMMUNITY WORKER / VOLUNTEER FINALIST - Joe Herald

Your Name: Joe Herald

Your Organisation/Company: Feile an Phobail

Your favourite thing about West Belfast: Community

Your First Job: Youth Worker

What it taught you? Youth work can be transformative for young people and the community we live in, Youth work has taught me to show empathy and understanding and that not all young people are on the same path in life, West Belfast has an amazing group of Community Youth workers that makes it a great place to live and work.

What do you think are the key ingredients needed to make a person or organisation the Best of the West?  To be considered the "Best of the West," a person or organization might need:

Demonstrated expertise, quality, and innovation in their work or industry.
Positive contributions to the local community, such as job creation, volunteerism, or charitable initiatives.
A reputation for reliability, trustworthiness, and high standards.
A genuine enthusiasm and commitment to their work or mission.
A willingness to take risks, experiment, and push boundaries.
Building strong relationships with others in the community.

I am currently the Community Engagement Manager with Feile an Phobail which is one of the biggest community festivals in Europe, I have lived and worked in West Belfast all my life and feel it’s a great place to raise a family in our community, I am also the current Chairman of O Donnells GAC which is based on the heart of the Upper Springfield / St James area.