Irish Red Cross volunteers play key role in community

THE Tallaght branch of the Irish Red Cross celebrated one year since they reopened following the Covid pandemic with an activity evening in the Kingswood Community Centre on Monday.

The branch is staffed by volunteers who offer first aid at various events, and also aim to educate people in the community about how to perform CPR.

When asked what young people in particular get out of their involvement with the Irish Red Cross, Elaine Boyd from the Tallaght branch said it equips them with valuable first aid skills.

“It’s great to see the young people being educated in first aid, and showing them that it is fun,” said Ms Boyd.

“But it’s not only first aid, we have games and parties too, and we do a lot of community-based stuff.”

However, she said the main draw for the young people is the first aid element of their involvement in the Irish Red Cross, and she’s impressed with how their skills have developed.

“The progress that they’ve made over the last year is phenomenal,” said Elaine.

“They know what to do in different scenarios, and they did really well in a first aid and general knowledge quiz on Monday.”

Now that the group has celebrated one year since reopening, they’re hoping to grow the Tallaght branch even more in the coming months, and new people are always welcome to join.

The group meets in the Kingswood Community Centre every Monday from 6pm to 7pm, and for more information the branch can be contacted directly via email at secretary.tallaght@redcross.ie