Laois Community & Voluntary Award Health and Wellbeing winner 2023 #laoisawards

O'Dempsey's GAA Club has won the Health and Wellbeing Award at the Laois Community and Voluntary Awards 2023.

The judge Muriel Tobin in announcing the award described the rich community contribution by the club to the county.

"The winner of this award contributes significantly to the community, it is very much involved and engaged in community development and is a central figure in the local & wider community. It ensures that everyone is welcome and included in its innovative ideas and projects.  The winner actively contributes to the betterment of the organisation and the local and wider community. It has a very bright future ahead for generations to come. O’ Dempseys GAA,” she announced.

Paddy Buggy, Laois PPN presented O'Dempsey's GAA with a Galway Crystal Trophy and prize money of €500.

Clive Davis, People First Credit Union presented the runner-up prize of €250 to SVT Activity & Wellness Hub. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

This award recognises community health and wellbeing groups i.e., mental health, sexual health, awareness raising & promotion around medical conditions, disorders and disabilities, increased meaningful daily activities, developing confidence and providing a sense of purpose & positive self-worth for citizens in the community.

This award acknowledges community groups, organisations and clubs that promote physical and mental health and wellbeing, focusing on prevention and keeping people healthier for longer. including opportunities for social connections and this award is sponsored by People First Credit Union and the Laois County Council Sports & Leisure department, who play a major role in the provision and management of sports facilities for Laois and plans, promotes and develops sports programmes for the people of Laois. 

The following is the full list of nominees in the Social Inclusion section who also received Certificates of Achievement for their contribution to their communities.

• Killeshin Community First Responders
• SOSAD Laois
• Mountmellick Walking Group
• Blood Bike Leinster
• Teac Tom
• Portlaoise Men's Shed
• Portarlington Social Services/Meals on Wheels
• My Brat Bhride' Voluntary Community Initiative
• SVT Activity & Wellness Hub
• O’Dempsey’s GAA

The award was presented with the award at a gala reception in the Midlands Park Hotel on Friday, November 3.  

This is the 14th year of the awards which were hosted by Laois County Council in association with Laois Public Participation Network and sponsored by People First Credit Union.

The award is sponsored by People First Credit Union and by Laois County Council's Sports & Leisure department.

The following are the nominee profiles for the Health and Wellbeing Award:

Killeshin Community First Responders: They are a group of volunteers consisting of 15 people from very different backgrounds who trained and answer emergency calls alongside the National Ambulance Service covering a wide area and various villages and towns lands on a totally voluntary basis. They are on call 24/7/365 and answer emergency calls from the National Ambulance Services to cells such as Cardiac Arrest, Chest Pain, Choking and Stroke when they receive a text alert from the emergency services. and they train fortnightly to keep their sills up to date.

Mountmellick Walking Group: Mountmellick Walking Group consists of varying ages and backgrounds with a focus on improving the health and well-being of its members. This group encourages members to begin walking at their own pace and improve overall wellbeing, with age friendly walks and more challenging hikes, everyone is catered for. The main ethos of Mountmellick Walking group is social interaction, somewhere to go and have a chat while being active. This group is run by volunteers who are held together by Tina Murray, every tiny detail is organized by Tina.

Blood Bike Leinster: Blood Bike Leinster is a specific blood bike service that operates in the Leinster region of Ireland. As a blood bike service, their primary role is to collect and deliver urgently needed medical items, particularly blood and blood products, between healthcare facilities. The service provided by Blood Bike Leinster involves collecting blood and other medical items from blood banks, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities and delivering them to their intended destinations.

SOSAD Laois: The primary target group for SOSAD Ireland includes individuals who are at risk of suicide or self-harm, as well as their families and friends who may be seeking support and guidance. The organization aims to create a safe and supportive environment for those affected, offering a range of services that promote mental health and well-being. SOSAD Ireland provides various services such as counselling, therapy, support groups, suicide prevention programs, awareness campaigns, and community outreach initiatives. They aim to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues and encourage open conversations about suicide and self-harm, fostering a supportive network for those in need.

Teac Tom: Teac Tom provides free counselling and support to individuals, and families. This ranges from play therapy to young children up to the age of 12, Adolescent therapy, and general therapy. Through their community engagement talks, They provide workshops on mental health, open discussion on this topic, and They respond to concerns that people might be experiencing for themselves, or friends, or families. This encourages people to call in and access support if they feel the need. Teac Tom provides its services to any member of the community who finds themselves in need of support for their mental health, whether as a result of grief, homelessness, trauma, stress and anxiety, or other life challenges.

Portlaoise Men's Shed: The shed membership is made up of mainly retired, long term unemployed, men on disability benefit and some men referred by day services. General Kind of Activities include music, snooker, walks, tai chi, woodwork courses, bird bee bat box builds, various projects for voluntary/community groups, gardening, day trips.  The Shed has had 10 successful years of community involvement through the various projects undertaken. It offers an outlet for men who may be lonely or isolated, men who want friendship, companionship or just a chat over a cuppa It offers these men the opportunity to learn new skills or share the skill that they already have. It is widely accepted that being a member of ashes can have a beneficial effect on men’s mental health.

Portarlington Social Services/Meals on Wheels: Meals on Wheels have been offering services for just 51 years. Meals delivered to the elderly, infirm and younger people with health problems. They cater for all dietary requirements. Delivering 3 days a week. They have over 70 volunteer drivers. In 2022 They cooked and delivered over 10,000 meals.  Apart from meals which is their main commitment They offer their premises to groups for meetings etc. They have senior citizens bingo every wednesday night with up to 30 people enjoying a few games and cuppa and a chat also.

My Brat Bhride' Voluntary Community Initiative: They believe strongly in the sense of community and involvement in a shared interest is of invaluable strength and support to many who live alone, or simply find themselves alone. They welcome and encourage everyone to make and gift a Brat Bhride…They always have plenty of embroidery hoops, wool and needles available. Their Brat Bhride community collaborations will bridge a gap betweeen generations and abilities, as They welcome all willing to join us. They bring generations together in a shared environment and workspace to create and collaborate on upcycled Brat Bhrides and talk together about activities and memories traditionally associated with St Brigid’s Day using preloved scarves and found materials.

SVT Activity & Wellness Hub: Their members come from all different backgrounds, ages, genders and abilities. From young children taking part in their children's summer camps and junior parkruns to older adults taking part in their Tai Chi classes and weekly social cycles. They run programmes and activities for young women and girls-to encourage females to keep up sport and wellness, and also programmes and activities for people who have fallen away from exercise and healthy lifestyles.... with their Couch to 5k for beginners. Their members come from all different backgrounds, ages, genders and abilities. From young children taking part in their children's summer camps and junior parkruns to older adults taking part in their Tai Chi classes and weekly social cycles. They run programmes and activities for young women and girls-to encourage females to keep up sport and wellness, and also programmes and activities for people who have fallen away from exercise and healthy lifestyles.... with their Couch to 5k for beginners.

O’Dempsey’s GAA: O’Dempsey’s is a thriving GAA club embedded in their community. Their mission is to be an inclusive and welcoming club, encouraging as many as possible to be part of their club on the core tenets of volunteerism, community, sport, and culture. They have Gaelic Football teams from U5 to adult, their catchment is Killenard village and the surrounding area between Monasterevin, Ballybrittas and Portarlington. O’Dempsey’s has always been at the heart of the local community but in 2022 the club made a commitment to broaden the reach of the club, especially to its non-playing members.

The Leinster Express / LAOIS LIVE is honoured to be the media partner.