Awardees

Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Awards Awardees 2008 booklet brochure entrepreneurship enterprise

so.cial en.tre.pre.neur - noun A social entrepreneur is a visionary leader with a high-impact social innovation who takes our society forward by helping to create a picture for the future that is stronger than a nostalgia for the past.

Introduction Level 2 Awardees Golden Anikwe Kate Gaynor and Kieran O’Donoghue Sr. Antoinette Keelan Robert Mulhall Mary Nally Conor O’Leary Sharon Vard Level 1 Awardees Suleiman Abdulahi Kazik Anhalt & Cormac O’Donnell Niall Buckley Olivia Carr James Corbett Gearóid de Brún David Doherty & Kevin Madigan Charlotte Dryden Glen Clay Eneh & John Kingsley Onwumereh Joe Hendry Dara Hogan Laura Kavanagh Mary Keogh Robert Lee & Lucia Parle Niall McManus Nobuhle Ncube Kate Nolan and Rosie O’Reilly Shane and Daniela O’Halloran Micheal O’Loinsigh Kareen Pennefather Robert Smith Anne Twohig-Wall Erik van Lennep Andy Wilson Contents Co-operative Support Services Special Stories Publishing St John’s Education Centre Lucca Leadership Fáilte Isteach Rural Arts Networks Anam Cara Dublin Cross-Cultural Club Central-Eastern European Network WorkFair WOVe Vizitant Aran Islands Zero Carbon Transport Initiative Source Love Music Hate Racism Ireland Mutual Cultural & Literary Exchange Centre Father Quality Mark Fledglings Childcare The Lady List ConnectAble NANO Creative Integration ReEnPower Lifeline Africa Foundation Re-dress Ireland Donates Eco Homes and Gardens Monkeyshine Theatre Sign Video Ananda Programmes TEPUI Rediscovery Centre 2 6 8 0 2 6 9 20 2 22 23 2 25 26 27 28 29 30 3 32 33 3 35 36 37 38 39 0 2 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd1 120/10/2008 18:29:33

2 Social Entrepreneurs Ireland’s mission is to ignite social change by identifying, investing in, and supporting some of Ireland’s most exceptional emerging leaders and the organisations they launch. We believe social entrepreneurs are key agents of change that enrich our community. In all of them there is the promise that exceptional people with exceptional ideas can ultimately change our world and we are proud to introduce you to some outstanding examples of social entrepreneurs, our 2008 award winners. Social entrepreneurship is one of Ireland’s most dynamic and fastest growing movements. In the three years since our launch, Social Entrepreneurs Ireland has invested in 6 social entrepreneurs throughout the island of Ireland with startling results. Over the past year, our 2007 award winners have worked directly with over 7,000 people in Ireland and indirectly impacted over 60,000; they have also used the support of Social Entrepreneurs Ireland to secure additional funding commitments of over ,900,000. None of this would be possible without the support of all our partners and funders. I would like to extend a special thanks to NTR who have recently joined us as Awards sponsor. This year’s 38 award winners show yet again that social entrepreneurs are mavericks, innovators and achievers who tackle some of society’s most pressing issues. In doing so, they both deepen our understanding of the problem and challenge us all to be more creative and effective in our search for a solution. I believe that we are now at the beginning of a new age of entrepreneurship. An age in which we use the talents, enthusiasm and ambition of people not just to build companies but to build communities. An age in which entrepreneurs apply their energy and drive not just to create financial returns but to create social capital. As an entrepreneur, I believe that Ireland can become a model for this new form of entrepreneurship. Social Entrepreneurs Ireland is leading the way but we all have a role to play. Join us in helping create this new vision for Ireland and in doing so support this year’s award winners and social entrepreneurs throughout the country. Email: donate@socialentrepreneurs.ie Thank You IntroductionDeclan Ryan Chairperson Social Entrepreneurs Ireland 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd2 220/10/2008 18:29:35

3 Social entrepreneurs with a proven model who are looking to significantly grow the scale and impact of their project Awardees 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd3 320/10/2008 18:29:35

“The key aims of CSS are to contribute towards the empowerment of ethnic minorities, to reduce poverty within these communities and to promote social inclusion and participation through the co-operative actions of self- help, self-reliance and self- development.” 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd4 420/10/2008 18:29:42

5 Since 2006, Golden Anikwe, a native of Nigeria, has been working to establish a customised support structure for co-operative businesses in Ireland. Golden has extensive experience in the co-operative movement and has set up Co- operative Support Services (CSS) as a social enterprise development agency to serve the diverse ethnic communities in Ireland. Its work is focused on the development of and support for democratically managed models of enterprise to meet the needs of these local communities. Having a background as both a cooperative promoter and practitioner, Golden realised that giving community members the opportunity to contribute directly towards the economic development of their community was vital for the enhancement of their capacity to participate in society. Golden is currently focusing on the support and development of co-operatives in a number of areas including a hair and beauty salon in Tallaght, affordable childcare in Tallaght and Dundalk, and a credit union with 50 Congolese members in Inchicore, Co.Dublin, all which aim to begin operating by the end of 2008. www.css.coop Golden AnikweCo-operativeSupport Services 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd5 520/10/2008 18:29:45

6 “We believe all children should understand that a difficult challenge, physical or otherwise should never prevent them from reaching their potential.” 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd6 620/10/2008 18:29:53

7 Kate Gaynor & Kieran O’DonoghueSpecial Stories Publishing www.specialstories.net Kate Gaynor first began work on the Special Stories books in 2005 and went on to set up Special Stories Publishing with Kieran O’Donoghue with a mission to provide high quality and child focused material that addresses the countless social and health issues that so many young Irish children face. The books are aimed at families, parents and professionals to read with a child who is facing ‘a challenge’ such as asthma, fostering or childhood cancer as well as to any young child as a lesson in acceptance of disability or difference. By making Special Stories books available to schools and to the mass market, Kate and Kieran hope to encourage tolerance and acceptance for children of all ages throughout Ireland. The books are available in bookstores nationwide and through educational distributors. In the future Special Stories Publishing hopes to further expand the series in conjunction with parents, children and professionals and give them the chance to tell their own ‘Special Story’. 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd7 720/10/2008 18:29:54

8 “St. John’s Centre was created from a vision that recognises the unique potential of each young person, providing extra time and assistance where needed for them to recognise their own potential, and take responsibility for it.” 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd8 820/10/2008 18:29:57

9 Sr. Antoinette KeelanSt. John’sEducation Centre As a secondary school teacher and Principal for twenty one years, Sr. Antoinette has worked with thousands of students in the Dublin area. She witnessed their joy in school success, and their disappointments in school failure. She recognised the critical need to support the individual needs and abilities of students whose vulnerabilities meant they often left the school system early. She identified the advantage of ‘time out’ from the system, time to receive special assistance in learning and especially counselling to develop the student’s confidence and sense of self. Taking early retirement and with the support of her own Congregation, the Holy Faith Sisters, and of the De La Salle Brothers, Sr. Antoinette began St. John’s Education Centre. In the Centre, adolescent boys and girls can experience that special ‘time out’, with individual and group learning and counselling support, so that they can return to their schools with increased competence and confidence. The centre provides on-going support and follow up sessions with schools and parents. Forty five schools in the Dublin area have, to date, referred students to St. John’s for this programme. 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd9 920/10/2008 18:29:57

0 “The people who inspire me the most are the young people who come on our leadership programmes, who discover a confidence within themselves and a sense of responsibility to take action and go out and make the difference.” 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd10 1020/10/2008 18:30:06

Robert MulhallLucca Leadership www.luccaleadership.ie In 200 having volunteered with Lucca Leadership in the UK for two years, Robert Mulhall set up Lucca Leadership Ireland with the help of some close friends who were inspired by a vision and wanted to make a positive impact themselves. Lucca Leadership programmes are designed for young people from all backgrounds to experience what it takes to lead positive change. They help young people to develop their confidence, leadership skills and understanding, and a sense of responsibility to make a positive difference in the world. Lucca Leadership programmes in Ireland include tailored programmes for Transition Year students and youth organisations, mentor training programmes and community days. Robert believes that the best way to ensure the brightest future for Ireland and the world is to create it. There are many problems in this world: poverty, disease, inequality, war, abuse, suicide. However, Robert strongly believes that without great leadership none of these problems will be resolved. In caring for the needs of all, transformational leaders look to co-operate and find that which will unite, rather than that which only divides. 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd11 1120/10/2008 18:30:07

2 “My belief is that if there is a very real need for this service in a small rural village then there must be a need for this project in other towns and villages throughout Ireland.” 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd12 1220/10/2008 18:30:10

3 Mary NallyFáilte Isteach www.thirdagefoundation.ie In the autumn of 2006, Mary Nally became conscious of the day-to-day problems experienced by non-Irish nationals in her village of Summerhill Co. Meath due to their inability to speak English. Her response to the problem was to set up Fáilte Isteach, where older volunteers provide conversational English classes to new migrants in response to the language barriers that they are experiencing in both their working and social lives. The resources and materials used by Failte Isteach deal with real life, everyday situations which we take for granted, such as visiting the doctor, shopping and work related scenarios. Today Fáilte Isteach has 0 students on its roll, from different countries, and 5 volunteer tutors. Based on this success, Mary has been approached by a number of individuals and communities from different parts of the country expressing interest in starting a similar initiative in their own area. Her challenge now is to help others to replicate her successful Summerhill model. Fáilte Isteach is part of the Third Age Foundation, which Mary founded in 988 in response to a lack of facilities and opportunities available to older people. 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd13 1320/10/2008 18:30:10

“I came to believe that we were all entitled to dance, to sing, to wonder, to listen, to read, to learn, to watch and to celebrate every kind of arts and culture in our own place and time.” 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd14 1420/10/2008 18:30:16

5 Conor O’LearyRural ArtsNetworks Rural Arts Networks is co-ordinated by Conor O’Leary and seeks to address the cultural exclusion experienced by many communities when it comes to accessing arts and culture. This is achieved by training and empowering local volunteers from a number of communities to select and host a range of arts and cultural events. These events are then held in locally available community venues including halls, schools, churches, libraries, function rooms, etc. As a result, since 2002, over 50 events have been organised by these volunteers in Wicklow, Laois, Kerry, Clare and Tipperary. Empowering local communities to start taking control of their own cultural environment is at the heart of the Rural Arts Network model, thus enhancing the quality of life, promoting a sense of place and fostering a shared sense of community and cultural development. Over the next two years, Conor hopes to set up new arts networks, to provide a support structure for existing networks and to explore their potential to further transform the cultural landscape of their communities. 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd15 1520/10/2008 18:30:16

6 “I would like to live in an Ireland where there are strong support structures for families who have lost a son or daughter so that they do not feel isolated on their journeys.” 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd16 1620/10/2008 18:30:22

7 Sharon VardAnam Cara www.anamcara.ie The death of a son or daughter is one of the most devastating experiences for a family. The aim of Anam Cara is to offer support to bereaved parents and siblings by those who have experienced a similar loss. After the loss of her daughter Rachel, Sharon and her family went through this devastation and although extended family and friends were wonderful, “it was only when we were in the company of other bereaved parents that we felt someone really understood the full extent of our pain and loss.” It was from this realisation that Anam Cara, a non profit voluntary organisation, dedicated to offering support, friendship and reducing the isolation that follows the death of a son or daughter, was conceived. Anam Cara reaches bereaved families through various channels, the website, a private message forum and formal/informal events around the country. Anam Cara is working towards having a national reach and already has set up nine Satellite Groups to date. Sharon is working on increasing this reach and enhancing the support Anam Cara can offer to bereaved parents and siblings to help them on the journey following their loss. e lost a son or daughter so that they do not feel isolated on their journeys.” 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd17 1720/10/2008 18:30:23

8 Social entrepreneurs who are at the early stages of development of their project, typically at proof-of-concept/pilot stage Awardees 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd18 1820/10/2008 18:30:23

9 Suleiman AbdulahiDublin Cross-Cultural Club “By engaging local volunteers, DCCC will be a place where ordinary citizens can cross cultural borders and thereby tackle prejudices. This will help reduce cultural and religious divides in Dublin.” Suleiman Abdulahi is from Somalia and is vice chairman of Horn of Africa People’s Aid (HAPA) which represents all Horn of Africa (Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Djibouti) communities and organisations in Ireland. To tackle the challenges of integration faced by these communities, Suleiman has set up the Dublin Cross-Cultural Club (DCCC). The club aims to address barriers which these groups face due to their specific cultural needs, linguistic difficulties and overall lack of opportunities for cross cultural contact. Volunteers offer linguistic support and help visitors to tackle everyday situations such as writing job applications and understanding official letters. DCCC also wants to establish a Horn of Africa Resource Centre. This will be a drop-in centre open Monday to Friday with an extensive range of activities. It is Suleiman’s hope to then spread the concept of DCCC to other cities in Ireland. 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd19 1920/10/2008 18:30:25

20 Kazik Anhalt &Cormac O’Donnell Central-Eastern European Network “The purpose of the network is to create an organisation that can play a proactive role towards building mutual understanding between citizens of Central and Eastern Europe and the indigenous people of Ireland.” The Central and Eastern European Outreach and Information Centre will work to provide advice on employment rights and statutory entitlements for migrants and aims to build good community relations through community development work and conflict mediation. Its development is a result of close co-operation between Kazik Anhalt of SIPTU and Cormac O’Donnell of Dublin City Council’s Office for Integration. They believe that the project can provide a targeted, culturally competent & holistic approach to the needs of the Central & Eastern European community. Kazik, who is from Poland, understands the socio-economic needs of his fellow Poles both through his work for SIPTU and through his voluntary work with the Polish Information & Cultural Centre. As a Strategic Policy Manager, Cormac has built up strong relationships with the migrant community in Dublin. He believes that Dublin City Council can show leadership in reaching out to the migrant communities in the city. Together they hope the project will support the needs of all Central and Eastern Europeans and have positive social inclusion outcomes for our society. 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd20 2020/10/2008 18:30:25

2 Niall BuckleyWorkFair “A migrant-dedicated employment law advice and representation service could meet a real legal need and be a strong gesture of social inclusion and integration for persons within the immigrant community.” Niall Buckley is an Irish barrister and college lecturer with a long-standing interest in human rights and social justice. Together with a group of Irish lawyers he set up WorkFair in early 2008, an initiative directed at combating labour exploitation of migrant workers. The profile of the Irish labour force has changed beyond recognition over the last fifteen years. Many recently arrived immigrants are especially vulnerable to exploitation, bereft of the usual community and social support structures and working in under-regulated sectors. Successful integration and protection of employment rights represents a real challenge. WorkFair responds to a perceived lack of access to the legal system amongst migrant workers, delivering a drop-in, voluntary employment law advice service and providing representation where appropriate. WorkFair hopes to act as a catalyst, promoting the attainability of labour rights amongst members of ethnic communities in Ireland and generating confidence in the Irish justice system. www.workfair.org 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd21 2120/10/2008 18:30:30

22 Olivia CarrWOVe “As one of our members said ‘...he made me think I was tiny, now I am huge, because I have regained all the confidence that he took from me, inside I am 10ft...I am a sunflower...I am getting taller’.” The role of WOVe (Women Overcoming Violent relationships) is to empower women coming from violent environments to develop the capacity to make liberating choices in their lives. Its vision is to support all women who are experiencing violence in intimate relationships. WOVe provides a unique service where women who are, or have been, in violent relationships can attend weekly group therapy/support sessions. It receives referrals from agencies including social workers, doctors, hospitals and Women’s Aid. As Chairperson of WOVe and someone who has been involved with the organisation for over years, Olivia Carr has worked in many roles to ensure the continuity of the weekly WOVe group. These include fundraising, operating the helpline and moving the organisation towards company status. She also works as a voluntary psychotherapist with one of the groups 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd22 2220/10/2008 18:30:33

23 James CorbettVizitant “To look into the eyes of those cut-off from society and to hear their stories is to comprehend how soul destroying and debilitating loneliness can be. I really want to help do something about that.” James Corbett is founder of Vizitant, an organisation developing an advanced communications network for isolated seniors. Vizitant will bring video-enabled social networking and presence applications to seniors living alone and in retirement/nursing homes, providing an affordable and easy to use means to connect with each other. James qualified in Computer Engineering from University of Limerick and spent a number of years working in the multinational sector before setting up his own online business and branching out as a start-up adviser and Internet analyst. James cites the death of a number of relatives, all within the space of a few years, as a turning point in his life. James was immersed in a world of high tech where the latest and greatest gadgets were being marketed aggressively to the youth market. Having several recently widowed relatives made him stop and think about his priorities and made him think about the benefits such technology could bring to seniors. 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd23 2320/10/2008 18:30:35

2 Gearóid de BrúnAran Islands Zero Carbon Transport Initiative “Here in Ireland we are energy rich, surrounded by energy whether wave or wind power. The challenge for us is to find innovative ways in which we can harness, store and use this energy in the most carbon friendly manner possible.” Energy has always been an important commodity on the Aran Islands. Formerly turf was transported to the islands on the Galway Hooker sailing boats, now diesel oil and kerosene arrive on today’s cargo boats. Gearóid de Brún has been living on Inis Mór, on the Aran Islands, for the last 2 years. His local energy committee has been investigating the use of wind turbines for the island’s domestic energy requirements. With transport accounting for up to half of fuel imports to the island, Gearóid believes the same wind energy can be used for transport and is currently developing a Zero Carbon Transport Initiative for the island. With recent developments in alternatively powered vehicles, Gearóid feels this is a realistic goal. With the support of his local energy committee, he is determined that within the next ten years, Aran will become 95% carbon neutral in all its energy requirements. 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd24 2420/10/2008 18:30:36

25 David Doherty & Kevin MadiganSource “Mental Health Service Users are generally a population without a collective voice. Research is a powerful tool in exploring experiences and implementing change.” The mission of Source (Source Of User Research Collaboration & Expertise) is to develop a body of mental health research which best represents the lived experiences of mental health service users, enabling service providers, legislators and the general public to gain unique insights into the lives of this population and use this for the development of appropriate mental health services. As a mental health service user in recovery for the past 3 years, David is a firm believer that the future of mental health services and treatment as well as society’s viewpoint is in the hands of collaborative partnerships between those who provide the treatment and those who experience it. Kevin Madigan is a Registered Psychiatric Nurse with 5 years experience in community mental health. Kevin believes that research is a powerful tool in exploring experiences and implementing change. He believes strongly in inclusion of the service user in the research process from initiation, to design and execution. 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd25 2520/10/2008 18:30:38

26 Charlotte DrydenLove Music HateRacism Ireland “What I hope to achieve is to spread a positive message about all the different cultures that are now living in Ireland, I want to give young people the opportunity to feel they are part of something that says we oppose the myths about migrant workers.” Charlotte, who works part time for the Oh Yeah Music Centre in Belfast, has been involved in the Northern Irish music scene for more than 7 years. In that time she has written for various music magazines and promoted hundreds of gigs. She has also been actively involved in anti racism work and found that by using music she was able to break down barriers and myths about the migrant community in a more relaxed environment. Love Music Hate Racism Ireland (LMHRI) is about uniting people from all walks of life through music. LMHRI works with communities, schools, universities and other groups to organise gigs and events that spread a positive message about multiculturalism. Gigs can either be organised by local musicians as a show of support, or alongside musicians from around the world. LMHRI also incorporates the history of music and the different cultural genres to educate young people through DJ Club events and music workshops. www.myspace.com/lmhri 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd26 2620/10/2008 18:30:40

27 Glen Clay Eneh & John Kingsley Onwumereh MCLEC “The best way to predict the future is to create it” The Mutual Cultural and Literary Exchange Centre (MCLEC) is a non-profit organisation that promotes, encourages and contributes to the advancement of cultural integration in Ireland. It aims to actively promote the study, teaching and writing of African literature: plays, poetry, dramas and folktales, and to further the study of African cultures. Glen, an inter-cultural mediator, and John Kingsley, a youth officer with FOROIGE, set up MCLEC in December 2007 to provide a literary and cultural exchange format to increase cultural awareness of the various African cultures and ultimately foster integration and inclusiveness. The organisation will facilitate library projects, exhibitions, workshops, seminars and cultural events as well as developing links between constituent members. MCLEC also aims to reward literary merit and excite literary talents. This project presents a fascinating and essential resource of both past and present African culture via literature, reminding us that as the world gets smaller, it just keeps getting bigger. 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd27 2720/10/2008 18:30:41

28 Joe HendryFather Quality Mark “Increasingly my professional work has helped reinforce my view of the importance of fathers in children’s lives and development.” The Father Quality Mark (FQM) is an Award for agencies - or services within an agency - demonstrating good practice in working with fathers. Already a service in the UK, Joe Hendry is setting up the FQM in Ireland to translate the growing awareness about the important roles fathers play in children’s lives into practical policies and services. Joe is a professional psychotherapist with extensive experience working with children, adolescents and families. Through his work, Joe recognised that despite a growing awareness of the important role fathers play in children’s lives, this is not reflected in practical childcare policies and services. Based on academic research, father-friendly services are defined in the FQM as those which fully take into account the impact of fathers on children’s lives and deliver good practice in relation to children’s welfare. Agencies and services that achieve an FQM will have established policies and practice that strengthen and value positive father-child relationships. 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd28 2820/10/2008 18:30:43

29 Dara Hogan Fledglings Childcare “Our founders’ guiding principle is that education is the solution to poverty and disadvantage. I want to follow that principle by taking the training we provide to our childcare educators out into the local community of Tallaght West.” With 0 years experience in the commercial sector, Dara Hogan joined An Cosán, an integrated community centre in Tallaght West, as Project Leader to help provide learning and leadership programmes to the local community. Seeing a need for follow-on opportunities for the programme participants, he set up Fledglings Childcare to provide affordable, quality childcare. Research shows that children who receive early years education have better outcomes in terms of educational achievement and personal development. As a branded social franchise, Fledglings Childcare will work to convert FETAC-qualified childcare educators into social entrepreneurs by providing support, mentoring and facilities to them to set up new, affordable childcare facilities in their local communities. With the first two sites opening in 2008, Dara plans to open 0 sites by 200 and to extend the Fledglings Childcare social franchise to other disadvantaged communities. This promises significant benefits to the community with new jobs and additional childcare places as well as improvements in the quality of early years education. www.ancosan.com 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd29 2920/10/2008 18:30:45

30 Laura KavanaghThe Lady List “Being a gay woman can be very socially isolating. The Lady List website is there to say to gay women in Ireland, ‘you are recognised and there is somewhere to go’.” Laura Kavanagh is the creator of The Lady List which is an independent online resource dedicated to providing comprehensive and up-to-date information on events, gatherings and support groups happening around Ireland for gay, bi and transgender women. Along with listings, The Lady List also provides news and information that is relevant to gay women. The Lady List’s main aim is to bring a sense of connection, recognition, inclusion and the best possible source of information for gay, bi and transgender women in Ireland. Attitudes towards gay people and the gay scene itself are improving but it is still very much in its infancy and for many, it is still socially isolating. Laura’s passion to make a difference comes mainly from her experience as a gay women living in Ireland. With The Lady List she hopes to create a stronger sense of inclusion for gay women. www.theladylist.ie 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd30 3020/10/2008 18:30:46

3 Mary Keogh ConnectAble “What some people may think is just their experience, takes on a different dynamic when shared with others.” Mary has worked in the area of disability rights for many years. More recently working at an international level, she has had the opportunity to work with disabled people from different corners of the globe. ConnectAble’s primary focus is to enable people with disabilities in Ireland to provide their expertise and knowledge to people with disabilities in the developing world through an online volunteering facility. ConnectAble focuses on making connections between people with disabilities. As a communication and learning partnership this aims to encourage people with disabilities in Ireland to recognise their expertise and realise the benefits they can give to others by sharing that expertise and consider the wider volunteering options that are available. Mary believes that engaging people with disabilities to be contributors to making a difference challenges the existing mindset on disability and gives them a sense of ownership. 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd31 3120/10/2008 18:30:48

32 Robert Lee & Lucia ParleNANO Creative Integration “Given the chance to grow, creativity enhances life and in turn enhances the community. We are committed to being part of this.” Through NANO Creative Integration, Robert Lee and Lucia Parle aim to provide access to professional arts and craft training for children and adults with disabilities, mental health and sensory challenges as well as marginalised and older people in the community. With their combined backgrounds in art and art teaching, Robert and Lucia intend to bridge community gaps through open communication and creative processes. They wish to raise awareness of the arts as a valuable tool for developing personal skills and community relationships, unlocking individual potential, inspiring and instilling confidence. The workshops will offer people the opportunity to work alongside professional artists and craftspeople, learn new skills and even ‘inspire the desire’ to further education and employment opportunities. The artists, in return for their mentorship, gain access to subsidized workspace and a public gallery where works may be sold. 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd32 3220/10/2008 18:30:50

33 Niall McManus ReEnPower “1.6 billion people have no access to electricity. They are a potential market for cheap renewable energy that is not dependent on a national grid.” For Niall McManus, an exploration geologist who has worked across the globe, two things have always been apparent: The need to live within our limited resources, and people’s need to improve their own lives. Niall believes that the first step to economic empowerment is provision of electrical power. Niall’s project is ReEnPower, an investment fund for R&D into small-scale renewable energy technologies. These technologies will benefit communities both in Ireland and the developing world. The technology will be developed by Irish firms where possible and would be made affordable by methods such as micro-finance. The fund will minimize profits to guarantee low cost products. Small-scale renewable energy gives communities the opportunity to manage limited resources, generate an income and, in the Developing World, provides the essential first step to economic empowerment. A successful renewable energy industry will be good for Ireland Inc. too, fostering the knowledge economy, employment and exports. 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd33 3320/10/2008 18:30:53

3 Nobuhle NcubeLifeline Africa Foundation “My vision is to live in an Ireland where all children relate to each other as equals and work together in promoting a positive learning environment despite cultural differences.” Nobuhle Ncube, originally from Zimbabwe, has been living in Ireland since 2000 and is a founder member and Women’s Development Officer of AkidwA, a national African and migrant women’s network. From her work experience and as an African parent in Ireland, Nobuhle discovered a strong need to actively facilitate integration in the education sector by raising cultural awareness and promoting active intercultural dialogue between Irish and African children. Most primary schools in Ireland now have a significant number of African/Migrant children. Though culturally enriching, this poses significant challenges to Irish teachers and students alike. Through the Lifeline Africa Foundation, Nobuhle plans to initiate an intercultural dialogue project between two primary schools in Ireland and two primary schools in Nigeria. This project will exchange intercultural learning and will enable students from both continents to engage in class projects and gain knowledge and understanding of each other’s cultures. www.lifelineafricafoundation.com 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd34 3420/10/2008 18:30:55

35 Kate Nolan & Rosie O’ReillyRe-dress “We have witnessed firsthand the humanitarian and environmental damage caused by the industry we are actively involved in and we cannot pretend otherwise. We believe it is not enough to passively observe... our rent on this planet is action.” Re-dress is an organisation set up to develop an awareness of the detrimental environmental and humanitarian impact of the fashion industry in Ireland and abroad. For Rosie and Kate, the idea for Re-dress was a result of witnessing first- hand the negative implications of the clothing industry. Working within the industry illustrated to them that certain methods and practices were unsustainable on an economic, social and environmental level. Re-dress aims to redress the balance of one of the biggest global industries through education and consultation and focusing consumer awareness on the ‘power within their pockets’ in order to steer public spending towards more ethical options. Through Re-dress, Kate and Rosie aim to provide tools such as industry debates, seminars, exhibitions and an educational toolkit that will enable the sector to move towards a more sustainable future and have a positive effect on the lives of the millions of people involved in the clothing sector worldwide. www.re-dress.ie 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd35 3520/10/2008 18:30:56

36 Shane and Daniela O’HalloranIreland Donates “Working in the social and voluntary sector we have come to realise that what we do makes a big difference in the lives of the people we work for. Charities and NGO’s also need assistance and this project is our way of helping them out.” Each year in Ireland, companies dispose of vast quantities of IT equipment, furniture and office supplies, items that are greatly needed by organisations working within the social and voluntary sector. After witnessing first- hand the unnecessary wastage and dumping of perfectly reusable furniture and office equipment, Shane and Daniela O’Halloran launched Ireland Donates in April 2008 for the benefit of organisations operating in the social and voluntary sectors. Ireland Donates is an online exchange network that enables companies to donate office furniture, equipment or services to organisations working in the voluntary field. Similarly, charities and local groups can make requests for any items or services needed. Companies can also lend items/services for special charitable events such as conferences and fundraisers. Not only is this service beneficial for organisations but it also has a positive effect on the environment as it reduces waste by prolonging the lifecycles of the items donated. www.irelanddonates.com 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd36 3620/10/2008 18:30:57

37 Micheal O’LoinsighEco Homes and Gardens “It is my hope that people will self-educate and become aware of the power to change the world that their home and garden environments offer.” Eco Homes and Gardens aims to educate people on sustainable lifestyles. Michael believes that as consumers we hold the power to change the world by shopping consciously and only purchasing products whose stories/life cycles improve our local and global environment. Eco Homes and Gardens is a socially responsible carbon neutral business that embraces modern communications and encourages online bulk shopping for Eco products on its ‘One Stop Eco Shop’. Everything from grid-tied micro renewable energy systems to Irish organic vegetable seeds, organic plant feeds, eco soaps, books on sustainable living, Ecotourism info and Eco educational workshops will be sourced at its website. The website will also offer free advice and tips on healthier lifestyles for people and planet, including designs for developing organic and therapeutic kitchen gardens. Micheal O’Loinsigh has worked with sustainable development projects in South America, Asia and Ireland. He sees the future as a fusion of modern technologies and ancient wisdom. www.ecohomesandgardens.ie (launching in late 2008) 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd37 3720/10/2008 18:30:58

38 Kareen PennefatherMonkeyshine Theatre “What motivates me is the desire to introduce children to a world where creativity is valued as highly as academic skills.” Kareen Pennefather is the artistic director of Monkeyshine theatre, one of Ireland’s most exciting children’s theatre companies. The company is dedicated to creating high quality theatre experiences which challenge, stimulate, and inspire young audiences. Kareen is passionate about developing theatre that does not underestimate a child’s inherent ability to question and interpret life. The imagination, creativity and openness of children continually inspire Kareen, who believes that these gifts should be treasured and nurtured. Kareen is currently working on the Connections Project, a new and innovative initiative that will invite young people to have an integral voice in the development of a new piece of theatre. Up to 00 young people between the ages of 2 and 5 will join with the company as they research and develop ideas and material. Through this process, Kareen hopes to create a show that has an honest and meaningful connection with young people. www.monkeyshinetheatre.com 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd38 3820/10/2008 18:31:00

39 Robert SmithSign Video “Introducing this technology to the Deaf Community in Ireland will permit social inclusion to a whole community across a whole nation.” The Sign Video project is a nationwide, self sustaining, videophone network for the Deaf Community. For a population of 5,000 profoundly deaf people in Ireland, there are currently just over thirty accredited Irish Sign Language (ISL) interpreters. ISL is the preferred language of the Deaf Community and so the ready availability of interpreters is an issue of equality and access for this group. The development of Sign Video will provide a powerful and innovative model to promote equality for the Deaf Community. In the context of the 2005 Disability Act, it will provide a practical and achievable means of making information on public services more accessible to deaf people in Ireland. Robert believes this project will allow Ireland’s Deaf Community to communicate with each other on a new level. It will provide a remote interpreting service allowing for an efficient and cost effective solution to Irelands ISL interpreter shortage. 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd39 3920/10/2008 18:31:00

0 Anne Twohig-WallAnanda Programmes “My grand design is for our young adults to have a greater understanding of the importance and benefits of stilling the mind, of using calmness as a vehicle to access their inner strengths and wisdom.” Ananda Programmes presents a comprehensive and innovative programme in Mindfulness Meditation to Secondary School Students. Mindfulness is a technique for living in the now. It is a skill which provides an understanding of what gives rise to stress and how to handle anxiety more effectively. The programme came into being after Anne gave Transition Year students an introduction to mindfulness and the importance of living with a high level of self-awareness. Their feedback and appreciation was so positive that Anne decided to adapt her adult programme and tailored it for this age group with very positive results. Anne would like every school in Ireland to offer students the experience and understanding of the benefits of stilling the mind through Mindfulness Meditation. It is a life skill and discipline that she believes will benefit students in school and university and also into their working lives. www.ananda.ie 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd40 4020/10/2008 18:31:02

Erik van LennepTEPUI “I hope to offer a full range of services which will create a viable consultancy focused on helping a broad sector to take up the sustainability challenge.” Erik van Lennep is a serial social entrepreneur who has worked in the areas of environment, education, human rights and community development for more than thirty years in the USA and Ireland. He is a co-founder of the Cultivate Sustainable Living Centre in Temple Bar, which is now Ireland’s primary training and resource centre for sustainability. In September 2007 Erik left Cultivate to set up TEPUI, a design and consultation collaborative focused on providing community level solutions to climate change, water, waste and biodiversity issues. TEPUI’s specialty is the use of “Living Technologies”, systems which work with natural processes and organisms to provide a range of services from cleaning water and air, to storing carbon, transforming waste, and conserving energy. Erik hopes that society will start to think more in terms of how they can cooperate with Nature to accomplish what they would previously have sought through ‘hard’ engineering. www.tepuidesign.com 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd41 4120/10/2008 18:31:03

2 Andy WilsonRediscovery Centre “I want to live in an Ireland that is a positive contributor to solving the collective global problems of environmental degradation and resource scarcity.” The aim of the Rediscovery Centre is to develop resource recovery activities that turn discarded materials into saleable items. Following an MSc in Sustainable Development, Andy Wilson began working with Ballymun Regeneration Ltd. to develop this next generation recycling centre. Recovery of resources from waste materials can help to reduce the rate of depletion of non-renewable resources and lower the use of renewable resources to the rate of replenishment. The project combines the bring-centre element of traditional recycling centres with on-site resource recovery, reuse and environmental education initiatives. Andy is developing a number of pilot projects for the centre including a furniture recycling, reuse and restoration project, the first Community RePaint scheme in the Republic of Ireland and the Rediscover Fashion clothing label. In addition to the environmental benefits in terms of landfill diversion and carbon savings, the project facilitates partnerships with local community groups to provide employment and training opportunities, and tackle social disadvantage. www.rediscoverycentre.ie 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd42 4220/10/2008 18:31:06

3 Notes 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd43 4320/10/2008 18:31:06

Notes 6671 - SEI Awardees booklet.indd44 4420/10/2008 18:31:06

With Special Thanks to our Supporters and Partners NTR The One Foundation The Iris O’Brien Foundation Vodafone Ireland Foundation Maurice Healy Newstalk The Centre for Nonprofit Management, Trinity College Dublin Dublin City University