The Spirit of St Patrick Award is a community award scheme that recognises and honours those who have offered significant service and contribution to the building of healthy, inclusive community. Awarded on the basis of community nominations, the Spirit of Saint Patrick Award trophies were created by Mullingar Pewter and consist of beautifully detailed statues of St Patrick mounted on a Walnut base.
We are delighted to announce that this year’s winners are Genil RT (Maynooth) and Pieta House (Lucan).
Maynooth : GENIL RT Programme.
Joanne & Dierdre Accepting the Maynooth SOSP Award 2015
The Genil RT programme for adults with intellectual disabilities is based on the Moyglare Road in Maynooth and is part of the St John of God Community Services Liffey Region (formerly St John of God Kildare Services). HSE approved and funded, Genil offers school graduates a four year training programme that enables them to progress to greater levels of independence and integration in the local community.
The aim of the programme is to enhance individual life skills and support the development of basic work skills. Throughout the four years the students have opportunity to develop skills and confidence in personal, social and life skill areas as well as participating in work experience placements and/or supported employment with a view to forming a career plan.
Training is delivered in many forms and includes class based activities, community participation, accessing courses in the local community, work experience placements, job preparation, supported employment as well as creative and expressive activities, such as drama therapy and creative collaborations with local groups.
We are delighted that the Genil programme have been selected as our sixth Maynooth winners.
Lucan : PIETA HOUSE
Marie Peelo accepting the new Lucan Spirit of St Patrick’s Award at the St Patrick Breakfast in Lucan.
This year sees the introduction of the SOSP award scheme in Lucan and we are equally delighted to announce that our first winner is Pieta House. Pieta House is a centre for the prevention of self-harm and suicide. It began over nine years ago in Lucan and since then has opened up seven additional centres, three in the greater Dublin area – Ballyfermot, Tallaght and Finglas and four further centres to cater for the rest of the country in Mungret, just outside Limerick city, Tuam, Roscrea and Castleisland.. So far the centres have seen and helped nearly 17,000 people in suicidal distress or engaging in self-harm.
From humble beginnings, Pieta House has now grown to almost 180 therapists and administration staff, and, in 2014 alone, over 5,000 people came through their doors suffering from suicidal ideation or engaging in self-harm.
We are delighted that this wonderful organisation will be the first winner of our Lucan Award.
