Dogs for the Disabled

Dogs for the Disabled provides assistance dogs to children between the ages of 6 and 12 years old with severe balance impairments due to their profound physical disability.  These specially trained assistance dogs’ function is to get the child up and walking by aiding with their balance and assisting with their negotiation of obstacles. Maintaining the child’s walking mobility throughout important growing phases increases independence and fosters social inclusion.

“Receiving this funding is huge for DFD as it gives us space to breathe allowing us to focus on what matters the most, the children we strive to help through the placement of our amazing assistance dogs and it provides the children and their families hope, a sense of achievement and a plan for their future”

-Jennifer Dowling, CEO

Cork Deaf Association

Cork Deaf Association is dedicated to promoting the rights, inclusion and well-being of Deaf and Hard of Hearing people across Cork and beyond. The project Deaf Awareness, The ISL Act and The Public Service delivers practical workshops to frontline public service staff, addressing serious gaps identified in the implementation of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017. This work is a vital step towards dismantling the systemic barriers faced by one of Ireland’s most marginalised communities.

“Winning a Rethink Resilient Cork award for this project is a game-changer for the Cork Deaf Association and Ireland’s Deaf Community.  With this grant, we’re launching transformative training to support public bodies to meet their obligations under the Irish Sign Language Act 2017.  This isn’t just a project, it’s part of a movement.  It helps to build momentum for lasting system change and a new landscape of meaningful inclusivity for Ireland’s Deaf Community”

-Gerrie O’ Grady, Executive Manager, Cork Deaf Association.

Community Connect

Community Connect is Ireland’s national Baby Bank, supporting families with young babies who are struggling financially.

Cork’s Baby Bank will expand to support 150 families with the baby equipment, clothing and essential items they need for their baby.  This will improve wellbeing, ease financial anxiety and provide a practical, sustainable way for families to help each other by passing on baby essentials to those in need.

“Community Connect is Ireland’s national Baby Bank, supporting families with young babies who are struggling financially.

Cork’s Baby Bank will expand to support 150 families with the baby equipment, clothing and essential items they need for their baby.  This will improve wellbeing, ease financial anxiety and provide a practical, sustainable way for families to help each other by passing on baby essentials to those in need”

-Elaine Noonan, CEO

Inclusive Dance Cork

Inclusive Dance Cork (IDC) is a training programme for people with and without disabilities who are interested in learning inclusive dance methods. It is designed for dancers to explore expressive movement and discuss a variety of ways to dance, facilitate, and support dancers of all abilities. IDC is a programme initiative of Dance Cork Firkin Crane.

“I am absolutely thrilled that Inclusive Dance Cork has been awarded the Resilient Cork Award from Rethink Ireland! This recognition is a huge milestone for us, allowing us to further develop inclusive dance practice and deepen the conversation around creativity, accessibility, and artistic innovation in the republic of Ireland”

-Rhona Coughlan, Artistic Director

Cork Anti-Poverty Resource Network

Cork Anti-Poverty Resource Network (CAPRN) is a community-based organisation that aims to encourage and empower individuals to become active agents in shaping their own lives and communities. CAPRN encourages people to become volunteers in the 5 community projects it oversees. This project award is extremely valuable to us as are our volunteers who are the backbone of CAPRN. This award will be used to recruit more valuable and much needed volunteers, train and upskill new and existing volunteers which will be of benefit to them and to the communities they live in.

“The award comes at a very opportune time for our organisation as it will enhance our plan to expand the involvement of volunteers across our projects, provide training, personal development and education to all our volunteers. Greater opportunities should follow for the volunteers in our community and CAPRN greatly appreciate the endorsement this award represents for us from Rethink Ireland”

-Michael O’Connell, Chairman

Let's Grow Together

Lets Grow Together, in collaboration with The WellSchools Network backed by David Cashman’s PhD research at UCC, empowers educators and students in Cork to embrace trauma-informed practices. Through masterclasses, coaching, and school-wide initiatives, this project funded by Rethink Ireland’s Resilient Cork Fund supports over 300 educators in six schools. Our project enhances well-being by improving behavior interpretation, stress management, and de-escalation strategies, creating healthier learning environments.

““Winning Rethink Ireland’s Resilient Cork award is transformative for Lets Grow Together’s collaboration with The WellSchools Network. It enables us to scale our trauma-informed education initiatives, supporting educators and students across Cork. This funding amplifies the impact of our work, rooted in PhD research and collaboration with UCC, helping us create healthier, more inclusive school environments. It’s a powerful endorsement of our vision for well-being in education”

– Katherine Harford, Executive Director, Lets Grow Together

Studios of Sanctuary

Studios of Sanctuary is Sample-Studios’ multi award winning professional training and mentorship programme for artists from migrant, refugee, and asylum-seeking background. It offers arts practitioners access to tailored supports and mentors, supporting them to thrive in their creative practice. As one of Ireland’s largest artist studios with 150 members, Studios of Sanctuary is a crucial part of Sample-Studios’ mission to launch, support, and sustain creative careers in Cork and beyond.

“Rethink Ireland Resilient Cork Fund will be truly transformative for the Studios of Sanctuary programme. Now in its 5th year, the programme is at a critical stage of growth with a strong track record of success for its participants individually and collectively. Not only will the Resilient Cork Fund allow the current participants to continue the incredible momentum they have achieved so far, it will allow us to introduce three new participants, extending the reach to new artists and communities. The capacity-building supports offered by Rethink Ireland are most welcome, too, as we explore opportunities to scale Studios of Sanctuary to a regional and national offering. This work is made possible through the Resilient Cork Fund”

-Dr Matthew Whyte, Development & Communications Coordinator