A Galway-based support service for children and adolescents has taken the top prize in the IPB Pride of Place competition, the winners of which were announced at a gala awards ceremony held in the Hillgrove Hotel, Monaghan on Saturday night (2nd November 2024).
As overall winner of the ‘Community Youth Initiative’ category of the 22nd annual competition, HopeSpace Grief Support Service was lauded for identifying a crucial gap and responding to it. HopeSpace provides a free one-to-one support service for children aged 4 to 17 who have lost someone they love and are finding it hard to come to terms with that loss.
Two other city-based projects were named runners up in their categories, namely children’s theatre Branar in the ‘Creative Communities’ category and the Merlin Resident’s Association in the hotly contested ‘Resident’s Association’ category.
Organised by peacebuilding charity Co-operation Ireland and sponsored by IPB Insurance, Pride of Place, commonly referred to as the “Oscars for Ireland’s community and voluntary groups”, showcases and celebrates exceptional community development efforts across the island of Ireland. This year’s gala ceremony was hosted by broadcaster Brendan McArdle.
Cllr. Mike Cubbard, who was representing Mayor of Galway City Cllr. Peter Keane, said, “On behalf of the Elected Members, I want to congratulate this year’s nominees on their tremendous success and for flying the flag for the city in this year’s competition. The nominees were selected based on their hard work, passion, resilience and dedication to the communities they serve. I particularly wish to acknowledge HopeSpace, a very worthy winner of its category. HopeSpace’s team of trained and dedicated volunteers provide bespoke care and support for children and young people who are going through a difficult time.”
Leonard Cleary, Chief Executive of Galway City Council commented, “HopeSpace, Branar and the Merlin Resident’s Association were nominated to participate in this year’s Pride of Place due to their contribution to the local community and for invoking a sense of pride of place in those whom they serve. This competition highlights all that is best about our community and voluntary organisations and how we are all indebted for their tireless work, passion and commitment.”
Having been nominated by Galway City Council to participate in this year’s competition, the three Galway City entrants were visited by IPB Pride of Place judges in July when group representatives made formal presentations before hosting tours that highlighted the elements of the community and volunteer efforts of which they are most proud.
Fergal Cushen, Pride of Place coordinator for Galway City Council said, “We are delighted to have played our part in assisting our Pride of Place participants during recent months. This prestigious competition is about recognising and celebrating the extraordinary, inspirational and tireless work being undertaken by local communities as they work to make their local area a better place in which to live. The success of the 2024 participants is well deserved and is reflective of the work that is ongoing throughout the wider community in Galway City. “
Based in Ballybane, HopeSpace is a free, one-to-one listening service. A team of trained volunteers meet children and young people aged 4-17 years who are experiencing loss from bereavement and helps them to process their grief.
Cathleen Hartnett, Chair of Board of HopeSpace CLG said, “As an organisation that only came into being last year, we are delighted and surprised by this award. We are extremely proud of our volunteers who are making a significant and positive impact on the lives of children and families who come to HopeSpace. We are also humbled by the trust that parents and families place in HopeSpace by placing their children to our care. Our mission is to provide an early intervention service that will help to reduce the need for children and young people to access mental health supports either now or later in life. This award success will help to showcase the services we provide and, hopefully, encourage families who need HopeSpace to come to us and avail of this free service. We are also very happy to share the success with the very many donors, friends, special advisors and businesses who are with us every step of the journey. They know who they are and how important they are to the HopeSpace service.”
Located in Bothar na Mine, Branar creates full arts experiences for children so that they and their imaginations may thrive. The organisation has established a reputation for creating highly imaginative and beautiful work which is presented locally, nationally and internationally. Since January 2022, the community of artists has presented 366 performances of 12 shows reaching audiences of more than 26,000 people in Galway and nationally. The work of these artists in this period has attracted investment of €1.2 million.
Galway City’s other Pride of Place runner-up, Merlin Resident’s Association was established in 2024. The establishment of the Ballybane Community Hub has provided a space which serves as a meeting place for all age groups and abilities. The association also has organised yearly family days, has developed a green space consisting of natural wild meadows and native trees, and holds clean up days throughout the local area.
Pride of Place was first piloted in the summer of 2003 and came from Co-operation Ireland, a forum that encourages strategic and sustainable approaches to cross border co-operation. Visit www.prideofplace.ie for more information.
