SOSAD Laois is Health and Wellbeing winner at the Laois Community & Voluntary Awards #laoisawards25

SOSAD Laois is the winner of the Health and Wellbeing Award at the Laois Community and Voluntary Awards 2025.

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.

The Award organisers explained why SOSAD Laois was a worthy winner of the award presented in the Midlands Park Hotel in Portlaoise.

"SOSAD Laois has been recognised for its extraordinary contribution to mental health support, suicide prevention, and community wellbeing across the county. Offering low-cost, professional one-to-one counselling for those experiencing suicidal thoughts, self-harm, depression, anxiety, bereavement, and overwhelming life challenges, the service is powered almost entirely by volunteers.

"Led by Coordinator and Psychotherapist Shirley McKay, the team includes six community volunteers and 36 volunteer counsellors who ensure rapid access to support, often within 48 hours.

"In September 2024, SOSAD opened its HOPE Drop-In Centre in Shamrock House on World Suicide Prevention Day. The centre provides a warm, non-clinical space where anyone can walk in, share a cup of tea, talk, and feel supported without an appointment. SOSAD also operates a 24/7 freephone listening service, delivers workshops in schools, clubs, and workplaces, and offers online DBT groups, ensuring that vital help is always within reach.

"Recent collaborations include weekend drop-ins with the ARC Project for those in addiction recovery, ADHD support groups, and wellness hubs at Electric Picnic. At its core, SOSAD Laois is a community of compassion—local volunteers helping local people. Their work embodies dignity, connection, and hope, making them truly deserving of this honour," said the citation.

Nicky McDonnell from Meath PPN noted that this was a very difficult category to judge with so many great projects benefitting the communities of Laois.

"With some very close scores, SOSAD Laois stood out as having a significant impact on people's mental health at a county level. A compassionate team of volunteers quietly provides kindness and care in difficult situations. Along with workshops, group facilitation and outreach awareness raising, SOSAD Laois is a wonderful example of collective action providing immediate support for anyone who needs it," he said.

The winners received a Galway Crystal Plate and prize money of €500. The runner-up in this category, the Borris-in-Ossory Santa Claus Club received €250 in prize money. 

Michael Rainey, Chief Executive of Laois County Council, presented the runner-up and winner prizes. MORE BELOW PHOTO OF RUNNERS UP.

This award is sponsored by Laois Local Community Development Committee. Laois LCDC creates an integrated approach to community development by coordinating access to funding, developing and delivering projects and promoting community engagement.

The other nominees in this category were:

• The ARC Project
• Camross Tidy Towns
• Portlaoise Community First Responders
• Laois Comhairle na nÓg

The award was presented at a gala reception in the Midlands Park Hotel on Friday, November 21.

This is the 16th 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, Laois Sports Partnership, Laois Partnership and Laois Volunteer Centre.

The following are the nominee profiles in the Social Inclusion Award category.