Earlier today (Wed 09 Oct 2024) Irish Cycling Campaign attended the Workday Community Impact Awards in the lovely The Lighthouse Cinema on Smithfield Square. ICC was represented by our National Cycling Coordinator, Dr. Damien Ó Tuama. 

While the Campaign’s application was not selected for the finalists’ list, it was worthwhile heading along after being invited to the awards. It’s always very interesting to meet others from the NGO sector who are campaigning and working on social issues, and who face similar challenges to those that ICC encounter – eg. raising the profile of the issues and fundraising. 

After hearing pitches from the short-listed applicants, there followed a broad discussion on the role of business in supporting civil society (Community Groups, NGOs Social Enterprises), particularly in an inner city context. There were plenty of references to what’s sometimes (slightly clunkily!) called “the quadruple helix” of academia, business, government and civic society. This chimed with us in ICC as our work intersects with all four of those domains. 

The winners of the awards were then announced by Minister of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, Paschal Donohue. They were:  

My Mind  – whose mission is to positively change lives by providing professional, affordable, accessible therapy to anyone experiencing mild to moderate mental health challenges. https://www.mymind.org/. First place.

Novas – a registered charity and Approved Housing Body working with families and single adults who are disadvantaged and socially excluded; primarily those who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. https://www.novas.ie/about-us/ – Second Place.  

The Down Syndrome Centre – which provides crucial services to children with Down syndrome. https://downsyndromecentre.ie/ – Third Place.

Some images from the day are shown below. 

Irish Cycling Campaign looks forward to engaging in the future with the attendees we met today!

Minister Paschal Donohue (left) and Graham Abell (Workday)

The winning organisation