From organising food drives and community events, to delivering youth education in the city, Keri Muldoon strives to support underrepresented or struggling groups in the city. A born-and-bred Salfordian, the mother-of-two has been recognised for her dedication to the community by winning the Spirit of Salford’s ‘Citizen of the Year’ award.
After a series of public votes, Keri was presented with the award by Mayor Paul Dennett, and Tom Standard during an awards ceremony last month.
“I didn’t even think I was going to win. I always get a bit embarrassed about it because I don’t need that recognition,” Keri said.
Working by day at Broughton Trust delivering education and services to young people and groups throughout the city, Keri volunteers her free time organising much-needed extra support such as food drives, easter drops, funding events, dropping food parcels, art and drama clubs.
Her volunteering has seen her receive funding form the likes of Salix Homes and Onward Housing.
She explained: “I like to be there and know what’s going on in the neighbourhood for our own sake. A lot of the people around here know the issues we face so we can deal with them. I’ll probably do this work until I die. All I want to do is bring the community together.”
“A lot of councillors don’t scratch the surface of the things we need in the community.”
Growing up and living in Broughton her whole life, Keri feels encouraged to support the area’s young people in particular. She said: “I think I’m inspired to help because we never had help when we were kids. There’s so much social media now, I feel I need to step in a little bit so they get a bit of opportunity in life.
“A lot of the issues stem from education, and in their teenage years, kids might not want to be educated so it’s finding that middle balance between enjoyment and education.
“I just want to help youth expand their knowledge. A lot of kids haven’t ever been away from the local area and if they don’t know what’s out there, they don’t know opportunities are there. A lot of kids haven’t got role models or inspirations but it just needs bringing back to what it used to be like.”
“In some ways I’m that role model now, but I don’t feel like it, because I’m just the same as everyone else.”
Alongside organising career support for high school children and supporting the Manchester International Festival, Keri is also committed to encouraging more people to take up volunteering in the community. She continued: “I keep coming up with ideas of things we can do everyday, and its the actual need that’s not good. I shouldn’t have to be doing all this. When people say ‘you’re so good doing all this’, if I don’t do it, it won’t get done. There should be more people doing what I do.”
“I think volunteering has good opportunities, especially for young people for CVs. But you also get friendships and something you’ll never see unless you know. Even if you do it for an hour, you make a difference.”
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