Inner City Community Youth Projects group wins Padraig O Griofa Youth Enterprise award

"Just Hanging Key Chains" from the Inner City Community Youth Projects was awarded the ‘Padraig O Griofa Young Entrepreneur of the Year’ Award from Waterford City Enterprise Board.

Now in its second year, Waterford Youth Bank and Waterford City Enterprise Board collaborated to establish a unique relationship aimed at encouraging young entrepreneurs. YOUTHBANK Enterprise Grants provide community groups with the necessary training to develop an enterprising idea, the skills to sell it and funds to run it.  Waterford City Enterprise Board grants were available to all youth groups within Waterford city with successful applications, the evaluation of these applications was undertaken by their peers. 

 

The programme included weekly workshops delivered by local business people giving practical training on subjects such as promoting your idea, finding your market and getting through the Youth Bank interview process.

Successful applicants were then paired with a business mentor who met with the groups offering support and advice.  The groups with products were offered the opportunity of a pop-up shop to sell their goods in last year’s Waterford city Winterval Festival. 

Padraig O Griofa was a well regarded businessman in Waterford and chaired the Waterford City Enterprise Board’s evaluation committee since its inception. He passed in March of 2012 and, wishing to remember his contribution to the business community and Waterford City Enterprise Board in particular, the Board established the ‘Padraig O Griofa Young Entrepreneur of the Year’ Award. This award was judged from the various Youth Bank groups, and on the criteria of enterprise skills, planning, administration and enthusiasm. 

A number of groups stood out, but the ‘Just Hanging Key Chains’ group were named as overall winners. Darren Kenneally and Michelle Brophy received the perpetual Padraig O’Griofa trophy designed by Sean Egan Art Glass and cinema vouchers compliments of Odeon cinema Waterford.

Ciaran Cullen CEO (Acting) Waterford City Enterprise Board said, “The effort and work that both Youth Bank and these community groups put into their enterprise projects is inspiring.  It was a pleasure to be in a position to invest in a project where the stakeholders are investing so much themselves.” 

The awards took place on February 5th at the Tower Hotel where in excess of 70 attended, including Mayor of Waterford Cllr. John Cummins who spoke about the necessity to encourage entrepreneurship. Mayor Cummins added, “All participants learned a great deal about entrepreneurship, showing a great willingness to plan and turn their concept into a reality.  I want to commend all who took part and pay tribute to all the stakeholders, particularly Waterford City Enterprise board, who was lucky enough to have Padraig O’Griofa on their team for so long. These awards are a fitting way to remember such a well regarded businessman.” 

For further details on Youth Bank’s activities you can find them on www.youthbank.org . Waterford City Enterprise Board offers support services for start-up and existing SME’s in Waterford city. If you have a new business idea or are running a business that requires assistance you can contact the Enterprise Board by phoning Celia on 051-852883 or check out what they have to offer first on www.waterfordceb.com.

Stephen is Waterford’s CAREGiver of the Year

Stephen Cowman was announced as the overall winner of Waterford’s Home Instead Senior Care’s CAREGiver of the Year awards.  Stephen will now go on to represent Waterford in the national final which will take place at the Home Instead Senior Care National convention on Saturday, 5^th October.

A Waterford native, Stephen, who is relatively new to the caring profession, was a popular choice amongst his clients, colleagues and the panel of judges, which comprised of the Mayor of Waterford, Cllr. John Cummins, Hazel Daniels, former Director of Nursing at WRH and Marie Cummins, Waterford Hospice Fundraising Chairperson.

Director of Care at Home Instead, Danette Connolly, was delighted that Stephen was recognised for his hard work and dedication.  “Stephen has made a big impact since he joined our team in 2011 and has established himself as an integral part of the lives of our clients.”

“Stephen’s clients were so complimentary and couldn’t sing his praises highly enough.  He is a cheerful CAREGiver and has shown all along that caring is not just a job to him but a passion and he always gives 110% to his clients.”

“He is happy to take on challenging cases and has been very successful in making great changes in some very difficult cases. Stephen really has helped his clients enjoy a new lease of life”, Danette added.

Now in its third year the awards recognise and reward the work of Waterford’s CAREGivers.  According to Marie Cummins, Adjudicator, “The work of the CAREGiver is invaluable and often goes unrecognised.  The decision was a difficult one to make as there are so many dedicated and compassionate carers in the city and county.  Each and every one of them has brought something good to the lives of their clients, be it helping with the day to day chores, taking them to the library or GP or simply offering companionship, which can mean so much to those without family or friends close by.”

Other awards on the evening included the CAREGiver Award for the most promising new recruit, the longest service award, the CAREGiver Award for the CAREGiver who is currently a Student and Length of Service Pins were presented to 44 recipients.

A former client of Home Instead Senior Care, well known entertainer and Waterford Person of the Year, Denny Corcoran was present on the evening and his daughter, Anne, gave an emotional and candid account of how the care Denny received made his days brighter and gave his family peace of mind.

“As a family we never had to worry when the Home Instead CAREGivers were present with Dad, our minds were always at ease.”

“I think it was proof enough that Dad was happy and comfortable with his carers when he was asked to be Grand Marshall for the St. Patrick’s Day parade and he chose Charlie, his carer, to accompany him.  As the saying goes, ‘we were blown out’”, Anne recalled.

To find out more about the Home Instead Senior Care CAREGiver awards or the work of Home Instead Senior Care call Danette Connolly of Home Instead Senior Care on 051 333966 or visit www.homeinstead.ie