Keelin’s TY Work Experience

Keelin joined Localise with an ambition to learn as much as possible and a strong desire to give back to others in any way she could. She aimed to enhance her leadership, public speaking, organisation, and other skills during her time there. This is the story of her weeks-long Transition Year Work Experience with Localise.

Earlier this year, I approached by my basketball coach, Sean, about doing my Transition Year work placement with him in Localise. I did a Localise project last summer with other members of my basketball team so I had a small idea of what I was getting myself into.

During my time with Localise I learned that youth volunteering is much more than I thought. We did so many things with schools. For example, one group cooked a dinner for an elderly group’s day out, another helped with a garden in a local hospital. I also got to meet university students from Canada as they were learning about Localise in their study trip to Ireland and joined their project in the Mater Hospital.

I met so many amazing people; teachers and students and learned so much from all of them.

My experience with Localise gave me a new perspective on so many things – How important community is to so many people, you don’t need a massive group to get things done and that we as young people can do some really great things if given the chance to do it and share our ideas.

It was very enjoyable and I am still involved. I have teamed up with a group of other interns and young people from across Dublin to plan and organise events where us young people will take out a local elderly group on different outings throughout the summer. You’ll be able to see what we have been up to in the coming weeks and months!

I would recommend volunteering, especially with Localise to people of all ages. I believe it is an experience that everyone should have at least once in their lives.