Inspiring Ballymena woman recognised for nearly 800 hours of voluntary service at home and abroad

Maria Goldring who achieved an outstanding 779 hours of volunteering across her time as a student at St Mary's University College. Marc Scott, Chairperson of Volunteer Now, and CEO of Ulster Hockey made a presentation of a gold certificate to Maria.

A young woman from Ballymena has been recognised for her exceptional commitment to volunteering, having contributed an extraordinary 779 hours of service during her time as a student at St Mary’s University College, Belfast.

Maria Goldring, a recent graduate, was the standout honouree at the College’s inaugural ‘Value in Volunteering’ Celebration Event, held on Thursday 29 May 2025.

The event, attended by Professor Peter Finn, Marc Scott, Chair of Volunteer NOW, as well as students and staff, marked a milestone in St Mary’s journey to promote the value of community engagement among its students.

“Some of the volunteer projects I’ve been involved in throughout my time at St. Mary’s are through the charity Friends of Africa,” said Maria. “So I’ve had the opportunity to volunteer abroad in Zambia, Tanzania and South Africa. And I’ve also had the opportunity to work with young people here in Ireland.”

Maria’s volunteering experiences span international and local settings. With Friends of Africa, she has supported communities in Zambia, Tanzania, and South Africa, while also working with refugees and asylum seekers in Belfast as part of a Warm Welcome project.

“All of this has been so beneficial to me and has supported me in my skills in working with young people with English as a second language, and developing personal and social skills as well,” she added.

She also volunteers with the Dromantine Summer Camp in Newry, organised by the Society of African Missions (SMA).

Maria described the camp as an opportunity for children to “have fun, detach from social stresses and social media… and develop sports, faith, and spirituality.”

The ‘Value in Volunteering’ programme, launched in September 2024, was created to help students at St Mary’s build employability skills, enhance their learning experience, and increase retention through community engagement. The scheme recognises students’ efforts through a tiered award system, with Bronze, Silver, and Gold Certificates awarded based on hours volunteered.

In its first year, the programme saw over 7,000 hours volunteered by students to more than 65 organisations. Sixty students received certificates, but it was Maria Goldring’s commitment that captured the spotlight.

“We recognised all students for their volunteering contributions, but we also acknowledged the student who recorded the greatest number of hours. Maria Goldring… undertook an outstanding 779 hours,” the College stated.

St Mary’s College, part of Queen’s University in Belfast, extended thanks to Volunteer NOW and Marc Scott for their support and participation in the event.

The programme is set to continue in the 2025–26 academic year, with a renewed focus on nurturing civic values and real-world learning experiences among students.

“This celebration event was an important opportunity to reward and recognise the fantastic contributions that our students have on College life and in the wider communities where they volunteer,” organisers said.

For Maria Goldring, whose voluntary service has spanned continents and touched lives near and far, the recognition is a fitting tribute to her dedication, compassion, and leadership.