Inclusion (Editor’s Choice)

The PEACE-funded Shankill Shared Women’s Centre in Belfast has been officially recognised as one of the top projects in Europe for promoting inclusion and delivering life-changing impacts within the local community it serves. “To be recognised and win out of 266 applicants from across Europe is just incredible,” said a project representative in a celebratory message to supporters.

As part of Dublin City Council's Inclusion and Integration week in May, it hosted a photography exhibition featuring the diversity of its own staff. This is probably a first for local authorities and the idea could easily be taken by others, or by community organisations, or by any entity in fact. The exhibition entitled 'Humans of Dublin' was held in the Civic Offices and it provided a fascinating glimpse into the life experiences of 12 council staff members by telling their stories of inclusion and integration.

Older people are becoming homeless... Women are doubly at risk... People can't afford to live on a pension... Food banks have become mainstream...

Leitrim may find new fame as the origin of a game generating national and international interest. The boardgame Letter Lingo makes time go faster while people are learning or improving their English, for example in Failte Isteach groups. They are also having more fun because of the game, and as word has spread demand has soared. Looking a little likes ‘Snakes and Ladders’ it was launched in April by Leitrim Development Company (LDC) and already people are signing up to join waiting lists for the game.

As Pride came to a close for this year, we spoke with Oisín O'Reilly, CEO of Dublin's Outhouse, a LGBT+ community resource centre and cafe, who sees cause for optimism as well as despair. Chastened by the Trump administration's targeting of companies that pursue a DEI agenda, some of the corporate backing for Pride evaporated this year. While that could be interpreted as a worrying sign of the times, Oisín doesn't see it like that. "I think there's a little bit too much on the 24% (of companies that cut their involvement) and not enough on the 76% who have stuck with us. There's a good news story there,” he said.

“Work hard” if you want to make your dreams come true of working in the equestrian industry. This is the message to youngsters from former champion jockey Cathy Gannon who gave her time on Tuesday to travel down from Dublin to meet 30 aspiring young jockeys in Limerick. This is National Volunteering Week and she was joined by other volunteers on the day – Michael O’Kelly, a founding member of the Limerick Equine Education and Therapeutic Programme (LEETP) and photographer Tony Grehan.

The Irish Local Development Network (ILDN) is the representative body for Local Development Companies (LDCs) and in September it outlined ten recommendations which - if social inclusion is to be a priority - all political parties and the new government should embrace.

Ireland would by now have its own Polish television station if Sławek Kazek and his tech-minded friends had their way. However, Ireland’s broadcasting rules are archaic, so the Midlands Polish Community group set up the next best thing – a dedicated YouTube Channel for Polish people living in the heart of Ireland.