Two Limerick youth groups receive grants from Vhi Health and Wellbeing Fund

Vhi and the Irish Youth Foundation (IYF) have announced details of the nine projects awarded grants through the Vhi Health and Wellbeing Fund. 

Now in its fourth year, the Vhi Health and Wellbeing Fund supports projects that are focused on strengthening resilience in young people and helping them to manage anxiety, with a particular focus on early intervention and prevention. Non-profit organisations which work with young people in Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Kilkenny and Limerick were invited to apply for a share of the €90,000 fund this year. 

In Limerick, two organisations were successful in receiving funding. 

The SMILE School Completion Programme, which supports students at risk of early school leaving, received funding to enhance its educational and emotional support services across six schools in Limerick’s northside. With the new funding, SMILE SCP will expand initiatives like mentoring, life skills training, and mental health programmes, helping students stay engaged in their education.

Similarly, The Blue Box Creative Arts Therapy Centre provides free psychotherapy to vulnerable children and families in Limerick and will use its funding to expand creative arts therapy services. This will support local youth groups, helping young people improve their mental health and build resilience through a series of therapeutic sessions.

Other grant recipients this year include Venture Out in Galway, Donegal Youth Service, Dublin-based community group Just Ask, The Shona Project, Irish Refugee Council, Wellsprings in Cork, as well as Aiséirí in Kilkenny. 

Karen Yelverton, Corporate Account Manager at Vhi, said: "At Vhi, we’re incredibly proud to continue our longstanding commitment to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of young people across Ireland. This year, we've allocated funding to nine diverse youth projects across the country. The chosen projects rose to the top with their innovative ideas and approaches to addressing the needs of young people by empowering them to build resilience, manage their anxiety and ultimately lead to positive mental health outcomes. 

"The Vhi Health and Wellbeing Fund has proven to be a powerful force for change with positive feedback and tangible results from grant recipients over the last four years. We hope that the funding allocated this year will provide young people engaged in selected initiatives with an opportunity to enhance their overall wellbeing. 

"We’re looking forward to seeing the impact that the projects supported this year will have on their communities.”

Lucy Masterson, CEO at Irish Youth Foundation, said: “We are immensely proud of the impact the Vhi Health and Wellbeing Fund has had on young people in Ireland, and we were delighted to once again partner with Vhi on this important initiative this year.

The financial support provided by Vhi will benefit a variety of organisations nationwide which provide vital supports to the most vulnerable young people in our society. We hope that the funding provided will not only have a positive effect on young people, but their peers and communities alike.”   

For more information about the Vhi Health & Wellbeing Fund click here.

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