Walk and Talk – Exercise for Mental Health

Posted on April 22, 2015 by irelandc

Walk and talk, connect with others and Nature…

The Green Ribbon mental health awareness campaign takes place in May.  As part of the campaign, Mental Health Ireland has teamed up with the Irish Farming Association, a founding partner of the See Change campaign, and Coillte Outdoors to organise a programme of national Let’s Talk & Walk Forest Walks to promote the Green Ribbon.

MHI Green Ribbon Walk Limerick

MHI Green Ribbon Walk Limerick

The walks are family friendly in duration and route and led by a forest ranger and volunteers.

The dates for this year’s #talkandwalk events are:

Avondale – Co. Wicklow

Sunday, May 17th 2015 @ 3.00pm

 

Martha Mitchell

Mobile 087 64233118

Email: martha.mitchell07@gmail.com

 

Portumna – Co. Galway

Sunday, May 3rd 2015 @ 3.00pm

 

Maura Canning

Mobile 087 6478771

Email: mauracanning@gmail.com

 

Killaclohane  – Co. Kerry

Monday, May 4th 2015 @ 3.00pm

 

Bernadette O’Driscoll

Mobile: 087 2353710

Email: bernadette.odriscoll@gmail.com

Ards Forest Park – Co. Donegal

Sunday, May 24th 2015 @ 3pm

 

Lisa McMongle

Mobile: 087 9328002

Email: lisammcmonagle@gmail.com

So pencil the date in your diary, and round up friends, colleagues and family for fun in the forest, walking, talking and promoting mental health.

For more information on events, see contacts above, or: info@mentalhealthireland.ie

Green Ribbon Positive Mental Health Changing minds about mental health one conversation at a time

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The Bracelet of Hope – Andy Morgan Foundation

Posted on November 25, 2014 by irelandc

“I miss him, but it’s OK”, a ten year old picked up the pieces after her Dad died by suicide, and is now helping others who had similar experiences to pick up and go on. Alex Morgan together with family and friends have set up the Andy Morgan Foundation to raise awareness and funds to help prevent suicide, and support those left behind.

Andy Morgan Foundation Logo

Give Life a Chance

Yes life can go on, and no one is asking you to take more than one day at a time. The foundation organizes bracelet making in schools to raise awareness and funds, a small token around the wrist but a large reminder that life is about coming together and community. Yes, we can go on.
https://www.facebook.com/theandymorganfoundation

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Spare Some Bone Marrow?

Posted on December 13, 2014 by irelandc

Paul Giblin Oarsman Needs Bone Marrow

Paul Giblin Oarsman – Needs Your Bone Marrow

Stephen Fry recently tweeted about Paul Giblin, a brilliant oarsman, (they’re all brilliant going out training on those wet or frosty morns) who desperately needs a drop of bone marrow to keep him rowing along…could it be yours? Imagine while your turning over for another cosy sleep one morning, your marrow could be out there rowing across a windy Galway bay having replenished Paul’s body...http://marrowmatch.eu/ 

Happy Rowers - Paul Giblin and Friends Cheer

Happy Rowers – Paul Giblin and Friends Cheer

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Small Fish, Big Heart

Posted on July 18, 2017 by irelandc

Having received the warmest of welcomes when he arrived in Galway from France, Sébastien Locteau was keen to return the warmth in at least one of the ways he could. By jumping into the cold green sea!

Small Human Fish, Large Heart

“A human in the open ocean, is like a small fish”, he says.

Not one for holding back at getting crazy things done, Sébastien has run marathons, partaken in triathlons, and an odd swim or two – some of them very odd! But nothing like his latest target, swimming the Wild Atlantic bay that rocks and rolls between Clare and Salthill. Not just for the kudos, though, Sébastien has those who have suffered even more than a long cold swim in mind, those who are on a tough mudder of a journey through the foul weather of cancer.

Having had serious health issues himself, he was lucky enough to have a doctor who knew the need to run, and who said to Sébastien, I know that “you can’t” won’t work for you. Now back on his feet, Sébastien will do whatever he can for those who today cannot, in the hope that one day they can.

On Saturday 22nd July, Sébastien will tackle the Galway Bay Swim, to raise funds for Cancer Care West

Your support, no matter how small will be deeply appreciated. And if you are around Salthill on Saturday, come along and cheer them home to shore.

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Sailing Alive

Posted on September 10, 2015 by irelandc

We had World Suicide Prevention day this week, and everyday is a good day to help someone get through a dark cloud.

The boaters and yachters at Clontarf Yacht Club have selected 19th September to show their support for preventing suicide by organizing a Sail Against Suicide day.

Sail Against Suicide Poster 2015

The aim of Events Against Suicide is to draw on the combined goodwill of communities all over the island of Ireland to use their skills and creativity to spread the  message
it’s ok not to feel ok; and it’s absolutely ok to ask for help
The aim is to raise awareness across the 32 counties through a range of local, community-led events.

To do their part the Clontarf Yachters are having a race with lots and lots of orange on the boats, and a marque with music and food for the afternoon – BBQ Burgers and more.

Sail Against Suicide Sign Outside Clontarf Yacht Club Clontarf  Yacht Club

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Positivity Guaranteed

Posted on June 28, 2016 by irelandc

Three days of workshops, uplifting speakers, resources and fun activities for the young and those who offer them care and guidance in October @ the RDS in Dublin.

ZeminarLogo

Zeminar will bring all those focused on the development and well-being of young people in Ireland to one place. Those aged between 15 and 19, their parents, teachers, mentors and coaches will learn and enjoy in a variety of ways hooking up with some of the best and most innovative organisations on this island.

Attendees will leave the event with new knowledge to help them live happier, safer, and more fulfilling lives.

ZeminarPoster

Speakers taking to the main stage include: Bressie, Peter McVerry; The Parents of Donal Walsh; Mark Little of Storyful; Jamie Heaslip; David Gillick; Maria Walsh/Former Rose of Tralee; Dr. Rhona Mahony/Master of Holles St.; Dermot Whelan/Today FM; Senator Lynn Ruane; Ian Power/Spunout; Doug Leddin – to name but a few.

Website

@zeminarevent

 

 

 

 

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Positive Pedal Power

Posted on April 3, 2015 by irelandc

Breifne Earley Close Up

Breifne Earley Up Close and Personal Against Suicide

 

We all have dark days, some darker than others. And for some the days can be beyond darkness…but there is always a way back to brighter days…and Breifne Earley is one of many who found such a way. Put simply: “It’s OK not to feel OK”. Depression and suicidal thoughts are treatable. Breifne says:
I was able to turn the direction of my life around simply by asking for assistance from my friends, family & colleagues. The support was then, and has been since, absolutely astounding.

Breifne Earley Selfie with Friends

Come on lads, keep up!

 

And now he’s pedalling around the planet to raise awareness in the Cycle Against Suicide Campaign. He has managed to stretch his funds beyond belief but needs a few extra bob to fully circumnavigate the globe. Can you help him push them pedals a little further? You can pre-order his book or DVD here.

Breifne Earley Hairy Supporters

Yer man’s flyin!

 

 

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Mind Your Mind

Posted on November 6, 2014 by irelandc

So many great groups now offering support services to ensure we all take good care of our mentals. Here are just a few: mymind.org, spunout.ie, headstrong.ie, and great counsellors available to match the fact that so many are now prepared to engage and work at clearing the mental clutter to living a better, healthier life. Check out a great film by Jigsaw Meath: http://youtu.be/p5qAhBlcMB0

Plan To Protect Your Mental Health

Path to Your Happy Mentals

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Mentors Corner

People who have managed or worked on various projects kindly offer to share their experiences, and in some cases offer mentoring to those considering or starting similar projects.

If you have worked on a project, your shared experience will be much appreciated. Your contact details can be kept private or made public as you wish.

If you are considering, or up to your ears in a project and would like some support, feel free to contact us, as someone may be able to offer some words of guidance or more…

Currently available to mentor:

Krystian Fikert of MyMind

John Evoy of Men’s Sheds

Christophe Lombardi

Contact

 

Let There Be Living Light

Posted on October 29, 2014 by irelandc

Mark Pollock is blind and paralysed, but only in body. He sees very clearly, and his vision and undaunted spirit energize others to get up and get going, and even run in the dark! All this to help find a cure for spinal cord injuries, so that he and so many others around the world may get to get up and go again.

RunInTheDarkRunners

Wednesday, November 12th, thousands pull on their running shoes and flashing armbands (to be seen of course) and hit the roads of 30 cities around the world. All these runners and joggers are part of a living (and loving) light flowing through the streets. What about getting your running shoes on? Or offer a volunteering hand? www.runinthedark.org/

RunInTheDarkMap

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Heart and Sole

Posted on August 2, 2016 by irelandc

FB_IMG_1469175700541

Man’s got Soul!

Eamonn Keaveney is currently walking around Ireland to raise funds for Pieta House. Fair play to him you’ll say…you might say a bit more when you hear he’s taking this very long stroll, barefoot! And then you might have a gasp or two when you see the cut of his feet. His sister, Maureen, one of his many supporters shares a few thoughts…

When Eamonn first came up with the idea, most of us didn’t believe him and here he is on day 94 of his epic journey. He is walking just over 2,000km around Ireland in his bare feet – for two reasons. He’d read about the longest barefoot journey in the Guinness Book of Records and he thought to himself “I’m going to break that”.

A good friend of his died by suicide and this made him decide to fundraise for Pieta House, and help raise awareness of suicide and self-harm along the way. With little preparation, no diet plans or support team, except for his family at home, he packed a tent and other essential items in a rucksack.

IMG_20160506_211146He’s been extremely fortunate as he has only had to camp three times so far. Many followers and businesses kindly offered him a place to stay along the way. People have literally spent hours driving around looking for him, bringing him picnics, ice creams or snacks and love to stop and have a chat with him. People are curious when they see him on the road and offer him lifts or shoes!

received_10153758037454952

Measure a journey not in miles but in friends made on the way

He’s received so many lovely messages of support, thanks, and encouragement on a daily basis and is overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers.  

We are thrilled that so far, as well as avoiding major accident or injury during his walk, Eamonn’s donation link has raised over €16,000, far beyond the €1,000 euro target our humble brother originally set. He is so down to earth, a very relaxed fellow. Nothing is ever too much trouble. He has stayed up many nights, talking to supporters even though he has been ready to collapse from exhaustion after a long days walk, but he never complains. He has undertaken such a selfless act in trying to help others. He’s an inspiration and we are so very proud of him.

We expect Eamonn to complete his journey and arrive home in Claremorris to a hero’s welcome on August 12th. I’m sure he will have many amazing stories to tell. Hopefully, he will make it into The Guinness World Book of records as he broke the record on July 13th. It would be lovely to get him a copy at Christmas. He has had the pleasure of seeing our beautiful country, meeting some of the nicest people and in turn leaving footprints in their hearts.IMG_20160709_140449

We wish him well on the last legs of his journey…if you catch sight of him, remember to offer him encouragement or snacks, but please no shoes!

Donate here

Tweet all about him  @baringmysoles

 

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Haring Around Town

Posted on February 13, 2016 by irelandc

Hare wearing colourful sunglasses

If you look him in the eye long enough, he’ll wink!

Every year the Jack and Jill lot do something a bit hair brained to promote awareness of their cause, and of course raise a few bob. Their antics usually raise a few eyebrows, and lots of smiles and laughter. This year is no different. A hare treasure trail around Dublin to find amazingly beautiful works of hare-inspired Art. Each one worth at least a viewing, or maybe more. You or your organisation can adopt one of these artistic treasures. Others are currently up for auction, and of course all proceeds go to providing care to very ill kids. According to the Jack and Jillers:

Through ‘Hares on the March’ we intend to keep people of all ages entertained whilst they walk around Dublin city centre finding, appreciating and enjoying the wonderful pieces of art that have been created by our superbly talented artists from all over Ireland and the UK.

Sandra Schone is one of the incredible artists who created these marvellous hares, and she shares some of her thoughts on this inspiring experience:

They had me at Alice in Wonderland! Two Teaspoons of Wishful Thinking

When I read the project brief, I knew it was for me! Being an aspiring illustrator with a quirky style, a lot of imagination and a supporter of any good cause, I knew I wanted to be part of this artsy fundraising initiative organised by the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation.

Their “Hares on the March” Campaign 2016, which is a follow on from the success of the Pigs on Parade, The Cow Parade and The Egg Hunt, is a unique art display in the city that will make you stop and look twice.

Sandra feeds the Hare a Carrot

Sandra meets and greets her Hare

 

I was thrilled when Monsieur Hare, the most unusual “canvas” I have ever worked with, moved in with me in October last year for about four weeks after being selected to become one of the 110 artists for this project. 

 

Jack and Jill Foundation. Hares on the March.What was my motivation and inspiration behind my “ImagineHareium” (No.88)? When I draw, I lose myself in my own wonderland, a whole new world, a divergent dimension. I forget everything else, nothing else matters and all my worries evaporate. The underlying theme of my life’s work is inspired by the fairy tales of my childhood: the magic in every moment of life, the beauty of nature and enchanting encounters.

Jack and Jill Foundation. Hares on the March.  The Hare is a symbol for many things; madness, genius, elusive, a luck charm, good fortune, protective powers, magical powers, union of opposites, full of mystery and contradiction as well as a royal animal. It is iconic in Irish society, taking pride of place on the coinage over the years. The hare is also associated with the Celtic Dawn Goddess, Easter, the moon, dawn and transformation…and they go mad in March, apparently.

The question I put to the audience is “Can we travel back to our childhood, and re-awaken that sense of wonder we possessed when we were younger and free to imagine whatever we liked?”

Hare Back Side

I want to invite people to discover their inner Alice by following the imagery around the hare, inventing their own story of what they see. For me I think, anything is possible at any age, with any limitation that we may be born with. We should nourish love, trust, friendship, and be true to ourselves, then we can face what we are destined to do in – our reality, our dream, our own wonderland.

“ImagineHareium” #88 is currently residing at the Conrad Hotel, Dublin, opposite The National Concert Hall, from 22 Jan to 29 February.

The other hares can be tracked down at 52 venues around Dublin city. The Hare Trail invites everyone to go on a hunt around town to find the 110 beautiful hares. A map and entry form can be downloaded from the website: www.haresonthemarch.ie There will be a prize draw on 16 March. So go hunting!

Things you can do:

Auction: Take part here: https://galabid.com/auction/hares The auction will close Mon, 21 March.

Adopt a Hare: Choose a hare. Put your name, mission & logo on the plinth.  Then put your hare on permanent display in your boardroom, canteen or reception area.

Individual Sponsorship: Choose a hare to be associated with by displaying your name, mission & logo on its plinth for the entire duration of the project. .

Links:

The Hare Trail: www.haresonthemarch.ie

Hare Auction: https://galabid.com/auction/hares

Jack & Jill: www.jackandjill.ie

Sandra’s oeuvre:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sandra-Schoene-Illustrations-Paintings

Jack and Jill Foundation. Hares on the March.

Jack and Jill Foundation. Hares on the March.

Twitter/ Instagram: @schoenesan

 

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Get Your APP Cap On

Posted on January 14, 2015 by irelandc

Apps4Gaps Logo Everyday more data than any one person can eat is produced all over Ireland (and the world), data that can be used to benefit us all…if only someone would come up with an app to analyse it, and grind out the gems and patterns that could help us make small and large decisions wisely…? Maybe you, and a friend or two? Oh and by the way, this BIG Data is just sitting there, freely available and accessible to all!

So Apps4Gaps is a clever competition to get people thinking and designing and building to wrestle some good from all this free data.

your idea+her idea+his idea+another idea=app

app+free data=social good

app+win Apps4Gaps=€5000  !!!

It’s a no brainer, just get your brain in gear and get thinking and creating. There are two categories, Student and Open. A few small terms and conditions, like you have to hook up with others (called a team), and design or build the app. Who knows, society could be so grateful, and you (and your team) could have €5000  to spend on something nice or your next BIG idea.

Apps4GapsMain

Apps4Gaps Competition

 http://www.apps4gaps.ie/

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Gardening Communities

Posted on March 31, 2016 by irelandc

Social community gardening has been growing in popularity over recent years for many reasons but if you haven’t discovered this enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours outdoors, you might be wondering what these kind of gardens are, and who gets involved…

People around a table in a sunny garden

Hot tips

Community gardens are places where people of all ages and experiences come together in an outdoors setting to share the work and share the harvest. This makes them ideal places to make the most of your strengths. If you have a bad back, someone else does the digging, if you love weeding, someone else will hate it! Then when it’s time to share the food grown, recipes are swapped, new vegetables tried and tasty meals shared.

There are no two community gardens alike but they have lots in common. They are usually inter-generational, socially inclusive, cross all socio-economic barriers. Above all, they are places where people talk about, grow, care for and share food, and maybe more besides, shoulder to shoulder. If you ask people what they enjoy most about being in a community garden, you’d be hard pushed to split them between loving the social aspects or just being outside and working with nature.

two gents laughing one holding a spade

So that’s how you hold a spade!

There are lots of reasons you might enjoy being in a local community garden, and usually you only have to be there for a couple of hours each week to experience them.

If you don’t have a garden or any idea how to garden, you’ll be welcomed. You might have a large garden that’s unmanageable, live alone and don’t have the energy to garden on your own; in a community garden you’ll meet people who enjoy sharing the workload and the company. You might want to meet new people and grow new friendships. In a community garden you’ll find like-minded people who care about food and nature. There’s a range of experience in a community garden, from none at all to years and years of greening fingers. You’ll always go home having learnt something new about food, the environment, gardening and of course humans.

ladies potting up

Linking up with local Education Training Boards, community gardens often run free, fun or accredited training courses that might include beginners gardening, preserving, cooking skills, recycling, composting stonewalling or landscaping. Trips to other gardens (on invite), talks or events often take place too.

2 lads in among flowers and plants

Sweet peas and guests

Are your green fingers getting twitchy? The Community Garden Network (CGN) is a voluntary organisation that supports community gardening in Ireland and Northern Ireland. They’ve started to map all the gardens on their website so if you’re looking for a garden close to you, take a look there first. Alternatively why not start one up? The CGN offer advice and virtual support and meet two or three times every year in different counties around the island.

For more information www.cgn.ie or Facebook

We are grateful to Dee Sewell for this Post. Dee is owner of Greenside Up, a social enterprise in Carlow where she works as a community garden tutor and volunteers with a new 2 acre Carlow community garden. Dee is one of the founding members and a coordinator of the Community Garden Network  set up in 2011 to offer support to community gardens in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

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Fun Corner

SheepTalkBalloons3

Fading Sight – Indomitable Spirit

Posted on December 13, 2014 by irelandc

Seeing Disney Carol and Sara

Carol and Sara #SeeingDisney

What would you do if your sight was fading? What would you want to spend your last sight credits on? A sunset, your favourite mountain, the flowers you planted in your garden, a loved one’s smiley face? Carol wants to see things with her lovely seven year old daughter. Goal setting, target reaching, Carol decided that on each of her daughter’s birthdays they would see something special, before they could no longer see together. And this year’s target is to see Disney. As her Usher Syndrome progresses, Carol might be seeing smaller and smaller, but she continues to think big. Can you see yourself helping?

Available now via PayPal, seeingdisneycalendar@gmail.com, the 2015 #SeeingDisney fundraising calendar.

Carol Usher Syndrome Fashion Event

#SeeingDisney Fashion Event

www.facebook.com/pages/Extraordinary-Events-Ltd/1505671226347791

http://www.gofundme.com/seeingdisney  Twitter @SeeingDisney

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Extra Food+Hungry Folk+Your Time=Fulfilment

Posted on February 16, 2015 by irelandc

Food Cloud Logo

Got some time and energy to spare? The good food people over at Foodcloud need volunteers to help rescue unwanted food, and get it to those who need it, and maybe a few little jobs in between…so if you like to roll up your sleeves and maybe wear a funny hat or tee-shirt, they would love to hear from you.

And just to show how professional they are over there, you’ll even get training…next session takes place on Wednesday 25th of February, and is the last one for a while! Email niamh@foodcloud.ie

Related post

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Electrons, Neurons, and a Lotta Grey Matter

Posted on November 4, 2014 by irelandc

Yes we can…host tourists, events, and every kind of digital…

HostInIreland

Host in Ireland, a marketing initiative created to drive interest in hosting digital assets in Ireland, will host From Electrons to Neurons, Why Hosting Matters to Ireland. The half-day event, co-located with DataCentres Ireland and Cloud & IT Security Ireland, will be held November 11, 2014 from 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM @ the RDS.  http://hostinireland.com/ …Ireland: your data HQ, when it comes to your data, we mean business

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Extra Food+Hungry Folk+Your Time=Fulfilment

Posted on February 16, 2015 by irelandc

Food Cloud Logo

Got some time and energy to spare? The good food people over at Foodcloud need volunteers to help rescue unwanted food, and get it to those who need it, and maybe a few little jobs in between…so if you like to roll up your sleeves and maybe wear a funny hat or tee-shirt, they would love to hear from you.

And just to show how professional they are over there, you’ll even get training…next session takes place on Wednesday 25th of February, and is the last one for a while! Email niamh@foodcloud.ie

Related post

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Crisis Response Volunteers

Posted on June 5, 2017 by irelandc

CCRTTlogoThe Community Crisis Response Team are on call from 5pm to 6am each day, every day. They respond to those in mental distress who make contact directly, or when alerted by a concerned passer-by, a friend or family member.

 

Team members have appropriate training, and also carry out patrols, and community awareness outreach. Operating for some time now in the Limerick area, the organization wishes to make its wonderful service available nationwide and is calling for volunteers. Can you help?

Contact                    Twitter                  Facebook

 

 

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Brave New Pioneers of an Ancient Tradition

Posted on June 9, 2015 by irelandc

Teenagers writing and performing their poetry, who’d’ve thunk it? Stephen Murray did, a Poetry Slam Champ himself, he got the bright idea to find young poetic voices from around Ireland and have them compete in an International Slam Fest in Atlanta in July 2015, and feature on the HBO TV show Brave New Voices.

Brave New Voices - Stephen Murray

Stephen Murray – Instigator & Mentor

After competing and winning in an All Ireland contest, the fantastic four have been selected, and are rearing to go do their thing…they just need a little funding help from all you poetry lovers out there, or indeed anyone who wishes to support these verbally brilliant young performance artists.

Brave New Voices Team Ireland

Brave New Team Ireland

Some samples of their artistry below, where poetry does not lie quietly on the page but stands up vibrantly, and each crunchy syllable grabs you by the poetics. People of Atlanta, you is in for a treat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxf1XukYqJg – Seasons

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZ9LyO62Uu8 – Pitchfork Branches

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9u9KoJ60cA – All Mothers and Fathers Matter

Donate here. Corporate sponsor sincerely sought. Contact Captain Melisa melissakavanaghteamireland@gmail.com

Contact: @TeamIrelandBNV    https://www.facebook.com/teamireland

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Are You a Perfect Marrow Match?

Posted on January 20, 2015 by irelandc

Nikkii Perfect Marrow Match

Nikki, married with two little kids, is desperately seeking a perfect marrow match. Her mother is Anglo-Burmese and her Dad is Irish. Nikki needs someone with a similar ethnic cocktail in their DNA for a drop of bone marrow to sort her out, and get her back on track and chasing her kids around the house. Anglo-Indian might also work, and maybe a sprinkling of Portuguese in your ancestors may also help.

If you think your blood stream has the relevant micro-spices, please consider registering as a bone marrow donor…who knows you could be someone’s perfect match?  http://perfecttenmatch.co.uk/my-story/

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Accessible Affordable Mental Health Care – MyMind

Posted on November 15, 2014 by irelandc

MyMind Krystian Fikert Logo

Originally from Poland, Krystian Fikert came to Ireland in 2004 with a degree in Clinical Psychology. On seeing the difficulties faced by people seeking mental health services, Krystian set up an affordable and accessible psychotherapeutic service. By drastically reducing admin costs, and giving clients rapid access to counsellors and psychotherapists, MyMind allowed people to quickly talk to a mental health professional, and so avoid the prohibitive costs of private services or the long waiting lists of the public sector.

Key Moment

A key moment in the development of MyMind came in 2009 when Krystian was recognised by Social Entrepreneurs Ireland as an emerging social entrepreneur. This recognition gave Krystian access to a wide network of business supports that helped develop MyMind. In 2010, MyMind was awarded funding by ESB Electric Aid and The One Foundation, and became a recipient of the David Manley Award for social enterprise. In the same year, MyMind first received support from the HSE, through the National Office for Suicide Prevention.

With the help of all of these partners, MyMind grew each year, supporting more and more clients. From impacting 398 lives in 2009, by 2011 it was reaching 2,032 people.

Elevator Award

The support from Social Entrepreneurs Ireland continued in 2011, when Krystian became an awardee of the Elevator Award which provides social entrepreneurs in the early stages of a project with funding, support and training to enable them to develop and scale their idea and maximise their impact. This helped MyMind reach even more clients. A new centre opened in Dublin’s Northside to accommodate demand, while the centre on Dublin’s Southside saw an ever increasing number of appointments.

Grants from the Arthur Guinness Fund and collaboration with BoehringerIngelheim propelled MyMind’s growth in 2012 as its social enterprise approach to the provision of mental health services became increasingly well known.

Online Services

MyMind Online Services

The addition of web-based mental health support through the innovative MyMind Online platform vastly increased its ability to reach more and more clients. People can access individual counselling services via video conference, and free of charge online consultations.

Beyond Dublin

MyMind expanded outside Dublin when Minister Kathleen Lynch opened the Cork centre in 2013. Crucial to the most recent expansion of MyMind has been Krystian winning the SEI Impact Award in 2013, which helps entrepreneurs already delivering an effective solution to some of Ireland’s greatest social and environmental challenges to scale their organisations. Since the Impact Award, MyMind has opened a new centre in Limerick and the number of appointments has grown to 1,200 a month in October 2014.

Future Goals

MyMind’s goals for the next two years involve maximising the potential of existing services, expanding its network of services and reaching financial breakeven by 2016. To date, MyMind has been able to generate 73% of its own finances, and with the growth of its services is on track to meet the goal of self-sustainability in two years time.

Mental Health in the Workplace

MyMind at Work

The most recent addition to MyMind’s services is MyMind at Work, which seeks to promote mental wellbeing in the workplace through talks, seminars and workshops. In 2014, over 15 companies used MyMind at Work to help employees develop emotional resilience, a number that is sure to grow in 2015.

From its origins in a community centre in North Dublin, MyMind has grown to four locations across Ireland, with a thriving online support service and a workplace program impacting over 14,000 lives to date.

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Welcome to IrelandCan.com a new website to honour and celebrate individuals, communities, innovation, great ideas, and start-ups all around Ireland. We will be sharing stories that embody a positive spirit of can-do getting-it-done at home in Ireland and across the globe.

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