Kildare-based social enterprise Sensational Kids honoured at social enterprise development fund showcase in Dublin

Pictured: Leo Munnis aged 7 from Laois with Dean Kearns aged 7 from Naas with Karen Leigh CEO and Founder of Sensational Kids and Deirdre Mortell CEO Social Innovation Fund. Photo Jason Clarke

The power, potential and possibility of social enterprise in Ireland was on full display at the Social Enterprise Development Fund Showcase Event in Dublin at the weekend and a social enterprise from Co Kildare was honoured at the event.

Kildare-based Social Enterprise, Sensational Kids, who provide nationwide subsidised early intervention services for children who have a special educational need, got the chance to showcase their achievements since being announced as an awardee of the Social Enterprise Development Fund last July.

Since then, they have opened their second centre in Clonakilty in County Cork and have held over 100 therapy (speech and language therapy, occupational therapy & play therapy) appointments in their first 6 weeks. They also received planning permission for their third centre in Claremorris in Mayo.

The €1.6M Social Enterprise Development Fund was set up last year by Social Innovation Fund Ireland, and Local Authorities Ireland and over two years, will provide funding and supports to social enterprises from across the country. The fund is financed by the Department of Rural and Community Development from the Dormant Accounts and IPB Insurance.

The eight social enterprises who received funding in 2018 showcased just how much impact this fund has had on their inspiring projects. These enterprises are proactively tackling some of the biggest social issues facing Irish society including homelessness, mental health, social inclusion and obesity.  Each social enterprise has expanded their impact as a direct result of the funding from the Social Enterprise Development Fund and participation in Social Innovation Fund Ireland’s Accelerator programme.

Here are some highlights from the other social enterprises who took part in the first year of the Social Enterprise Development Fund:

• The Shona Project developed online modules which are being piloted in four schools with positive feedback. The also held their first “Rise” conference in Waterford with 350 TY girls hearing from several inspirational women.

• O’Cualann Co-housing Alliance has received planning permission and notice of the disposal of land from Dublin City Council where they will build 39 affordable housing units.

• MyMind which provides affordable and accessible mental health services opened their 5th centre in Dublin 8 and had over 200 counselling sessions in the first month.

• Social Farming Ireland continued their growth and hosted 300 participants on 80 farms in 25 counties in Ireland.

• Sailing into Wellness positively impacted on the lives of 118 recovery clients. Through the support of the Social Enterprise Development Fund, that number is set to more than double in 2019.

• GROWBox has had a successful launch, with over 500 families starting to grow their own food and an appearance on The Late Late Toy Show.

• Meals4Health has formulated a viable business strategy and has launched a unique service – producing and delivering fresh ready meals directly to older people at home – the first service of its kind in Ireland.

Seán Canney, T.D, Minister of State for Community Development, Natural Resources and Digital Development, said: “The achievements of each of today’s awardees are truly inspiring and an example of the power, potential and possibility of social enterprise to have a significant social and economic impact.

“Projects like MyMind who are offering affordable online counselling sessions and O’Cualann Co-housing Alliance who are creating affordable housing are great examples of what social enterprises are capable of.  The Government is committed to supporting social enterprises as we recognise the role they can play in addressing social needs, building communities and creating jobs. To this end, the Department is looking forward to publishing the first national social enterprise policy for Ireland later this year.”

Deirdre Mortell, CEO, Social Innovation Fund Ireland said: “It’s fantastic to see just how far each of our Awardees have come in such a short space of them and the impact they’re having on their communities through their incredible work. Imagine a social enterprise employing 4 or 5 people in every one of the 1,000 towns and villages in Ireland - small changes create viable sustainable communities. With this in mind, we’re looking forward to working with a new group of social enterprises in 2019. I’d also like to thank IPB Insurance and each of the Local Authorities for their support over the past number of months.”

The Social Enterprise Development Fund 2019 is still open for applications from social enterprises until 25th January 2019. Further details are available on www.socialinnovation.ie