Voice for Kare

Voice for Kare (VFK) is an advocacy group made up entirely of Kare service users.

Founded in 2008, it helps service users to have their say in what goes on in Kare.

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VFK – Our Role

To be a voice for service users and help Kare to do better.
To ensure we have a say on policy and issues affecting the lives of service users
To work together with Kare's service users, management and Board of Directors to have our voices heard.
To review and advise on Kare's Easy Read organisational policies.
To link with VFK representatives to share information at local level.

Structure of Voice for Kare

Committee

The VFK Committee has ten members from across Kare's services. The Committee meets once a month.

Representatives Group

Each local area has a VFK Representative. The Reps group meets with the VFK Committee once a month.

Local Area Groups

These groups meet each month in local services and houses, to deal with issues specific to their area.

Committee Members

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David Leigh (Chairperson)

David has been with Kare a long time and on the VFK Committee since it started in 2008, recently voted in as the new Chairperson.

Passionate about Liverpool Football Club and Neil Diamond, David also has a huge interest in politics.

David is hardworking and always happy to get involved and help other people.

Marcus Baldwin (Deputy Chairperson)

Marcus has been with Kare for 10 years. He loves his involvement in VFK and the work that the committee does , including reviewing accessible information and meeting his fellow VFK reps.

Marcus is very proud of his sporting achievements in Bocce, swimming and soccer.

A keen Manchester United supporter, he is also interested in wrestling, gaming and YouTube.

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Lisa McNabb (Secretary)

Lisa has been supported by Kare's Outreach team since 2023.

She enjoys meeting up with the VFK committee and her role as Secretary.

Lisa likes working on her laptop and writing. Her favourite TV programme is Friends.

Conor Butler (Committee Member)

Conor has been with Kare since 2021. Conor was previously a VFK Representative for Prosperous Local Service before joining the VFK Committee in 2024.

Conor loves contributing to VFK business. He also enjoys playing sports and watching Harry Potter movies and Coronation Street.

Michael Connolly (Committee Member)

Michael has been with Kare for several years. Michael enjoys being a VFK Committee Member and having his voice heard on any issues or concerns.

A keen follower of Dublin GAA, Leinster rugby and Manchester United, Michael is proud of his own achievements in boxing and swimming, as well as his job in Centra.

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Seamus Doyle (Committee Member)

Seamus has been part of Kare since 1989, serving on the VFK Committee since 2008. Seamus likes that he can speak out and give his opinions on topics and issues.

Previously, Seamus has met with Kare's Board of Directors on behalf of VFK.

Seamus loves his job in his local garage. He is easy to talk to and a good friend.

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Margaret McGarvey (Committee Member)

Mags has been with Kare since its early days, and on the VFK Committee since it started in 2008.

Mags listens to people and is dedicated to the VFK Committee. She loves that changes can be made through VFK.

Some of Mags's past-times include crafts and socialising.

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Eoin O'Malley (Committee Member)

Eoin is an artist who displays his work in galleries all over the country.

Eoin is passionate about his involvement with the VFK Committee.

He has a good sense of humour.

Padraig Reilly (Committee Member)

Padraig has been with Kare for many years.

Previously a VFK Representative for Blessington Local Service, Padraig has been a great addition to the VFK Committee since his election in 2024.

Padraig is a person who will never shy in giving his opinion. He loves ten-pin bowling and is a great singer.

Peter Trueman (Committee Member)

Peter joined VFK because he wanted to use his voice to speak up for himself and his friends in Kilcullen local service.

He enjoys going to tai chi classes and watching The Simpsons. Peter has his own baked goods business 'Pete de Chef' providing cakes and buns to businesses in Ballymore and Blessington.

Peter travels to Greece twice a year and loves topping up his tan!