People

Writer and disability rights activist Sarah Fitzgerald writes about the impacts and inadequacies of disability services - and what needs to change.

“I am from the area and I work with over 60 young people from the area. These young people are crying out for a community centre.” - Youth worker, Jonathan Collins

Máire Ui Mhaoláin is CEO of the islands development company - Comhar na nOileán - and lives on Inis Oírr with husband Tom and son Dara. The couple have two grown up childen - Adam who works in Spiddal and Ruth (pictured) who is currently in Australia.

The pandemic has shown us more than ever the importance of self-care, writes Nicola Browne. She asks - why are social justice organisations so slow to practice what they preach when it comes to wellbeing?

I went to the shop to buy a mask and then realised I couldn’t enter the shop without a mask. While I was wondering how I would enter a shop without a mask to buy a mask, a fellow gave me his mask as he left the shop. I wiped it on my sleeve for safety’s sake and put it over my face, delighted that I could now enter the shop - then I realised that now I had a mask I no longer needed to go into the shop to buy a mask.

In a letter signed by Mark Cumming, head of Comhlamh, and dozens more civil society leaders, in February, concerns were raised over the proposed EU Canada Trade Deal known as CETA.

- Robert Carey on why everyone, including people working in community-based organisations, should question their beliefs:

Steo Wall graces the cover of this special edition (it's our 20th year). "My songs are written for all the socio-economically deprived people of the world," he tells Ben Panter. Steo is proud of his Dublin roots and his Traveller heritage. He believes the pandemic has strengthened our sense of community and he encourages everyone to keep the head up in these strange times.