Promoting Inclusion for People with Intellectual Disabilities
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.
VFK – Our role
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To be a voice for service users and help Kare to do better.
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To ensure we have a say on policy and issues affecting the lives of service users
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To work together with Kare's service users, management and Board of Directors to have our voices heard.
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To review and advise on Kare's Easy Read organisational policies.
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To link with VFK representatives to share information at local level.
Our conference – Beyond Barriers: Inclusion, Rights, Action
On 5th November 2025, we held our first Beyond Barriers conference.
We shared our views on the things that matter most in our lives, including work, education and relationships. We talked about what works well, the barriers we face, and what needs to change.
Click the button below to learn more about the conference and what we discussed.
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 working in her role as Secretary.
Lisa likes working on her laptop and writing. Her favourite TV programme is Friends.
Chris Breen (Committee Member)
Chris joined the VFK committee January 2026. He was part of the Assistive Technology presentation at the Beyond Barriers conference in 2025.
Chris lives independently in Athy and is supported by Kare's Outreach service.
Chris enjoys going on holidays independently and Malta is a favourite holiday location of his.
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.
Kenny Delahunt (Committee Member)
Kenny joined Voice for Kare in January 2026. He was involved in the Beyond Barriers conference in 2025 including a star role in the safe online dating video and a piece around education.
He is from Kildare is is very proud to be still living there independently. He went to university in Maynooth for three years and then did a work placement in the Dail.
He likes all sport, apart from golf. He enjoys gigs and he is involved in the Crooked House Theatre Company He loves going out and meeting people.
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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.
Julie Kirwan (Committee Member)
Julie was the Voice for Kare Rep for Baltinglass before being elected onto the Voice for Kare Committee in February 2026.
Julie is excited to begin her duties with the Voice for Kare Committee and is looking forward to the journey ahead with the committee.
Julie represents Kare at the Dublin South, Kildare, West Wicklow Safeguarding Committee and is enjoying her role with them.
Julie likes taking part in sports such as basketball, floorball and swimming.
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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.
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.
Easy read resources
About Voice for Kare
VFK 2025 Annual Report
Keeping Me Safe
Terms of Reference
Managing Complaints
Assisted Decision Making
Videos
About VFK and Terms of Reference
Safeguarding
Kare's Values
Managing Complaints at Kare
