Teams

Dr Willie Evans joined the Board of Trustees in December 2024.  His two decades of volunteer experience as a lifeboat crew member in Larne has resulted in a good understanding of what motivates lifesaving volunteers, as well as the benefits of volunteering in an emergency response capacity. Willie holds a doctorate in marine geophysics from Ulster University and began his career in marine science research, mapping the seafloor around Ireland and beyond. In 2015, he transitioned to a full-time role with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), where he now serves as a Volunteering Growth Manager. In this role, he focuses on the long-term sustainability of RNLI lifeboat stations, supporting initiatives across the entire volunteer lifecycle. His work is informed by a keen interest in applying academic research on third sector activity to real-world challenges faced by coastal and waterway communities.

Beyond his professional and volunteer commitments, Willie is a keen trail runner and enjoys live music.

Philip joined the Board of Volunteer Now in 2018. He is an economist and spent most of his career working in the private sector with PwC. He has always taken an interest in the voluntary sector and the role of social enterprise in the economy and has served as a member of a number of boards including 12 years as a trustee of Community Foundation NI. In 2009 he was appointed as one of the first board members of the Charity Commission for NI where he chaired the Audit & Risk Committee. Philip is also currently chair of the Board of Governors of Friends School Lisburn.

Samantha McClatchey joined the Volunteer Now Board of Trustees in January 2021 and has spent the last 8 years working in the recruitment industry with Lucas Executive Search. She has worked on many senior executive and Board appointments across the public, private and voluntary sector. She has a love of animals, specifically dogs and volunteered for a number of years at Almost Home, an animal rescue centre and welfare charity. With a background in psychology and HR, Samantha has experienced first-hand the personal benefits that volunteering offers. Samantha is also on Volunteer Now Enterprises Ltd's Board.

Nathan works as a solicitor in Cleaver Fulton Rankin in Belfast. Nathan specialises in a range of areas including charities and social enterprises, business immigration, employment law, data protection and commercial contracts. Nathan graduated from Durham University and has been working in various roles in the legal sector since 2012 including time spent working as a paralegal in Belfast and Doha, Qatar. Nathan enjoys assisting in raising money for Cleaver Fulton Rankin’s charity of the year and as a keen runner has completed three marathons for various charitable causes.

Jeannie joined the Volunteer Now Board of Trustees in April 2023. She has 13 years’ experience working across the public sector and civil society. Jeannie is a Social Value Advisor at the NI Strategic Investment Board. She advises the public sector on opportunities to maximise the benefit of Government buying power for people, communities and the planet. She leads on Social Value approaches for Services contracts, including by providing guidance and training on the NI Executive’s recently introduced policy, 'Scoring of Social Value'. Before joining SIB, Jeannie held several roles promoting social justice and active citizenship in civil society, including at Trócaire and Habitat for Humanity. She was a 2022 Fellow of the Social Change Initiative where her research focused on taking local action on global issues. She previously served on the Board of Trustees of Home-Start North Belfast. Jeannie is passionate about the role of volunteering in bringing people together to build strong communities where everyone can contribute.

Jenny has worked in the world of community development for 16 years and has a rich history in volunteer management within community organisations including: youth, older people, addictions and mental health. Her role in the leadership team at Mid & East Antrim Agewell Partnership, an older peoples charity in Mid & East Antrim includes managing the service delivery for a number of health related contracts, as well as building capacity in local community groups around funding, governance and project management. As a strong advocate for the voluntary sector, she has previously served on a number of third sector voluntary boards including Kells and Connor Pre School and The Alternative Medicine Theatre, as well as holding the coveted position of the Boardroom Apprentice for the Northern Ireland Charity Commission in 2018/2019. As part of her ongoing personal development, Jenny is currently studying for a Post Graduate Diploma in Leadership and Management for Health & Social Care.

Jenny joined the Board of Volunteer Now in September 2021. Jenny has 18 years' experience of engaging and involving volunteers: 5 years of schools and community fundraising with NSPCC and 13 years with the National Trust. Within National Trust, she worked alongside volunteers, directly managed teams of volunteers, was the Volunteer & Community Involvement Officer for a portfolio of properties with 450 volunteers and is currently the regional NI People Business Partner for volunteering and community. She is a voluntary trustee of Belfast Homeless Services and volunteered as secretary of St Columbanus College PTA for many years. Her experience means she understands the range of operational and strategic opportunities and challenges inherent in volunteering. She is personally and professionally invested in volunteering for deep mutual benefit at an individual, organisational and societal level and is honoured to support Volunteer Now's mission to support and advocate for volunteering, volunteers and volunteer involving organisations in Northern Ireland. The pandemic has accelerated societal change and the landscape of volunteering is changing at pace too; as a sector, we must work collectively to support volunteer involving groups and organisations to respond to the changing needs and expectations of people who want to give their time to causes they believe in.

Elaine is an independent trustee since April 2023. As one of Volunteer Now event volunteers, Elaine ‘meets and greets’ and signposts individuals and families, most recently, at the Belfast Ukraine Assistance centre. Enriching volunteering is Elaine’s enduring priority. Celebrating its value, both the quality of the volunteer experience, and its benefits to the group or community underpins Elaine’s 30-year career. Starting out by supporting communities in housing estates from Ballymena to Belfast, on how to set up groups, attract funding, establish community centres, run events, and implement bespoke training programmes, doing so and safeguarding everyone involved is paramount. Progressing Council community services, e.g., designed Newtownabbey Borough’s Volunteer Awards and Belfast City Council’s Children & Young People’s services. Leading regional services e.g., for older people, mental health support, or pioneering thematic priorities e.g., Community Safety, all has relied upon great volunteers at the heart of it. Elaine is keen to champion the future of volunteering, supporting the Volunteer Now team on their endeavours and quality assure the experience for all.