Clare is preparing to celebrate its title as European Volunteering Capital 2027, recognising the thousands of people across the county who give their time to support their communities.
One of those volunteers is Shayla Hilpert.
Originally from Canada and the United States, Shayla and Clint made County Clare their home three years ago. With a young family, they wanted to become part of the community and saw family volunteering as the perfect way to do it.
Every week, they join Ennis Tidy Towns for a litter pick, familarising themselves with the laneways and streets of Ennis while meeting neighbours and others who are also new to the area. Along the way, they have built strong friendships and a deep sense of belonging.
For Shayla and Clint, volunteering as a family is more than a community activity – it’s a way to share values with their children and teach the importance of being responsible citizens.
Volunteering has enabled the family to feel connected to their new community and Shayla believes that as you lay down a part of yourself you really get to care deeply for the people and place.
Their commitment extends beyond litter picking. The family came up with the idea of creating a Junior Garden and sharing library in their local area.
Working with Ennis Men’s Shed, they developed a safe, welcoming space where children can meet, swap books and enjoy the outdoors together.
Their motivation each week comes from a mix of commitment, care for the environment and the joy of social connection with Shayla believing that when people see children out volunteering, it shows that everyone can volunteer and make a difference.
You can listen to the full interview here:
