BEST COMMUNITY WORKER / VOLUNTEER FINALIST - Arlene Blaney

Your Name: Arlene Blaney

Your Organisation/Company: Newhill Youth & Community Centre

Your Website: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100079924907967

Your favourite thing about West Belfast: The people's community spirit, humour and resiliency.

Your First Job: Saturday hair dressing assistant - brushing floors, making teas, chatting to people.

What it taught you: That being a friendly, genuine and hard-working person will always make you enjoy whatever job you do.

What do you think are the key ingredients needed to make a person or organisation the Best of the West?
I believe the key ingredients needed to make a person / organisation be the best of the west is to love and be proud of the community you live and work In. Having a blend of integrity, empathy, passion, resiliency and resourcefulness to help and support the participants you work with. To work positively in partnership with other local organisations and support each other especially in times of need. To provide a high standard of professionalism and dedication that our community deserves, being up for challenges at all times and always stay grounded!

I have worked as a youth and community worker for over 20 years in West Belfast. 
I work with many women's groups through inclusion & development work. My purpose is to make the women in our community feel included, supported and listened too and to help build their emotional well-being, skills, resiliency and create some fun and challenging elements to their life's.