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Some 77 people from all over Ireland were presented with their Gaisce Gold Awards at a ceremony in Dublin Castle on 4 December. President Michael D Higgins was there to present the award to each of the successful participants.
Gaisce is a self-development programme for people between the ages of 15 and 25. It aims to help grow young people’s confidence and wellbeing. Gold awardees must complete five challenge areas over 52 weeks or more – volunteering with a charity or community group, developing an existing skill or learning something new, becoming more active through sport or exercise, taking part in a four-day adventure journey as part of a team and a five-day residential project outside of their usual community.
One of the recipients of the gold award this year was Edel Bradfield from Tullyglass, Enniskeane, Co Cork. She started her Gaisce journey in 2014 as a member of Macra na Feirme.
Taking part in Gaisce is something that Edel believes will stand to her going forward in her career
Between getting married and having two children she had to take some time out, but she successfully completed her Gaisce this year and was delighted to receive a Gold Award from the President.
“Gaisce is not a [professional] qualification but I learned many different things. In sport, I enjoyed teamwork and in volunteering I was doing community work,” Edel told Irish Country Living. Taking part in Gaisce is something that Edel believes will stand to her going forward in her career. A business graduate from the University of Limerick, she took some time out of work with her children, but intends to go back. She says Gaisce helps improve your confidence, skills and teamwork.
“My Gold Award experience has been such a wonderful journey, I’ve learned so much through interacting with others and all the fabulous people I have met along the way.”
Starting out, Edel was given a mentor to help guide her through the process. She was paired with Caitriona Fox Murray who is a Ballyhoura Macra member.
Music can take you everywhere; there are comhaltas groups, concerts and so much more
As she didn’t have a bronze or silver award completed, Edel had to do 78 weeks for one of her chosen activities and 52 weeks for the others. In her case, she decided to do 78 weeks of developing a personal skill during which she learned how to play the banjo.
“We had a banjo in the house and I was interested in music from a young age. I learnt the keyboard, tin whistle and accordion when I was in primary school. Music can take you everywhere; there are comhaltas groups, concerts and so much more.
“I found a girl in the local village who taught me banjo. I have cousins who are into music and gave me some valuable tips. I’d go home and practice new tunes myself, under my teachers direction and guidance.”
For her physical recreation, Edel was already a keen badminton player and continued playing in her local club.
“I played years ago in college [in Limerick] for a small bit. When I finished college I wanted to keep it going, there was a club in our local town which I joined. The club did not have big membership. In the first year I was playing socially, in the second year I played as part of the team.
“We would all travel together if it was an away match or we would go early if it was at home to set up for the courts and everything. It was great to play as a team. To promote the club and gain publicity the club members were pictured in the local newspaper and there was a write up about us.”
Not only did Edel find herself going to competitive matches, but she was also elected as secretary of the club at the AGM.
You would be kept going with everything within a club
“I did get involved in the badminton committee in the second year. When the AGM came up I was nominated to be secretary of the club. I had to send out text messages to the members about matches, skills sessions, check up emails and make sure people were obeying the rules and regulations. You would be kept going with everything within a club.”
As if that didn’t make her busy enough, Edel also volunteered in the Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) shop in Bandon in order to tick the box for the community involvement element of Gaisce. “I was given a work time to come and go. It’s such a busy shop in Bandon, there’s always something to do. Lots of black bags come in at different times. They have clothes, shoes, bed clothes, books, picture frames. Sometimes stock would be put out in the morning and it would be gone within the hour. It was all about stock rotation.
“There was a camaraderie among all the voluntary workers in the shop. The shop is well supported; it’s definitely fast paced.”
In such a busy environment, Irish Country Living asked were there any stand-out moments while volunteering at the shop?
“I remember someone dropped in one day looking for an entire outfit for a wedding. She left the shop with a matching dress and coat, shoes, bag and hat. Others donated debs dresses, ball gowns and fancy dress attire. One day someone came in looking for a particular book and I remembered it was in stock and they were so thankful that they came in and got it.”
Travel
For her adventure journey, Edel went on a trip with three others from Ballyhoura Macra. To qualify for Gaisce, the trip must involve staying away for four days and three nights. Edel went to Vetralla, Rome, to take part in a pilgrimage and see the sights in the city.
“There were huge crowds in Rome. In St Peter’s Basicalla the Pope himself said mass. That was a real privilege to be present for that time. I know he didn’t say it in English, but we were in awe. We did a hike then as well outside Rome that people would do as a pilgrimage.”
Every day we would get up, get breakfast and go to the hospital to help prepare people for the day
The final box to tick for Gaisce is a residential journey outside your usual community for five days. Edel went to Lourdes as a volunteer with the Cork and Ross Diocese, helping people in Accueil hospital.
“There were 42 in our group and we all had a uniform and a rota to follow. Every day we would get up, get breakfast and go to the hospital to help prepare people for the day.”
Edel was paired with a lady who she still keeps in touch with. Edel’s job was to accompany her as they went around Lourdes doing candlelight processions, visiting the baths, the grotto and the Stations of the Cross.
“Some people would use the wheelchairs, chariots as they were elderly and more would walk. There were many shrines to visit. It was nice to be able to help.”
Enjoyable
“What I would recommend is to put your name forward and take it from there, never look back. It’s a worthwhile and enjoyable journey. Dream big and there is a reward at the end of the tunnel.
“The motto is to keep working away and complete all the tasks. Gaisce gets you involved in the community, I got to know many many people.”
Personal skill: Playing the banjo
Physical recreation: Playing badminton
Community involvement: Volunteered in SVP shop
Adventure journey: Vetralla – Rome
Residential: Attended Lourdes as a volunteer with the Cork and Ross Diocese at a ward in Acceuil hospital.
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