St. John of God Community Services North East is proud to share key achievements and milestones from 2024, reflecting a year of transformation, development, and community connection:

· Service Transformation: 2024 marked the final closure of the historic main house at St. Mary’s, Drumcar, after 77 years of service, and the relocation of administrative operations to Hilltop Services, Dundalk, signalling a new chapter.

· Infrastructure and Housing Developments: Funding was secured for multiple initiatives, including the redevelopment of SeaTown Day Centre, a new modular activity centre, and the opening of Sham House, the first residential expansion since de-congregation began.

· Innovative Supports and Recognition: New programmes like STARS were introduced to support school-to-adult service transitions for young people with autism and intellectual disability. Staff were upskilled through Autism Reality Experience training, and Gary Lucky qualified as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Positive Behaviour Support.

· Leadership and Advocacy: HIQA chose the service to present at Dublin Castle as a national example of regulatory transformation. Service users advocated for better local transport, and staff and individuals contributed to national conversations on assisted decision-making.

· Community Engagement and Celebrations: Active participation continued in tidy towns, animal welfare, and local sports clubs. Celebrations included milestone birthdays, most notably Philip’s 90th, and opportunities for holidays and shared memories across the region.

St. John of God Kerry Services is pleased to share some of the key developments and achievements from 2024 across our community-based disability services:

· Service Expansion: Two new day programmes were opened in Kenmare and An Óileán, expanding local supports for people with disabilities.

· Programme Milestone: The Castleisland Day Service celebrated 20 years of continuous operation, marking its role as a flagship programme in the region.

· Community Partnerships: A strong collaboration with Munster Technological University (MTU) continued, with graduates supporting certified advocacy training to empower people to speak up for themselves.

· Public Engagement: Minister Norma Foley visited Kerry and discussed the Disability Action Plan, highlighting the importance of political support for disability services.

· Workforce Development: A significant recruitment and training campaign was undertaken, along with recognition of long-serving staff, some with over 40 years of service.

St. John of God Liffey Services is proud to reflect on a year of progress, inclusion, and innovation in 2024, driven by the collective efforts of staff, families, partners, and people supported:

· Empowered Communication: With staff and speech and language therapists, individuals were supported to lead, express, and inspire. Investment enabled twelve new touchscreen AAC devices, broadening access to meaningful communication.

· Digital Coaching Expansion: The DigiCoaching initiative grew through collaboration and shared learning, helping individuals and staff enhance their digital skills for communication, self-expression, and independence.

· Creative Advocacy & Community Building: A wide range of activities, from advocacy events to art exhibitions and charity work, demonstrated the power of community when people are empowered to share their voice.

· Service & Staff Development: Recruitment, wellbeing initiatives, and service enhancement projects continued, alongside recognition of staff and individual achievements in both academic and personal development.

· Commitment to Rights-Based Service: Backed by the ongoing support of the staff, management, families and St. Raphael’s Parents & Friends Association, 2024 was defined by immense staff effort to deliver high-quality, rights-based services, fostering inclusive services, welcoming environments where each person’s voice is valued.

St. John of God Community Services Dublin South East reflects on a year of both challenges and significant achievements in 2024, focusing on service quality, community inclusion, and the voice of people supported:

· Decongregation Milestone: After a 20-year plan, all residents of Ravenswell in Bray transitioned into community homes, with the final houses opening in Obelisk (Blackrock) and Hollybrook (Bray).

· Improved Facilities: The day service previously based in Temple Court relocated to a larger, more suitable premises in Brookfield, Blackrock, enabling greater capacity and improved delivery of day supports.

· Respite Services Reopened: The respite house at 13 Wyattville Park was successfully reopened, returning essential short-term residential supports to families and service users.

· Service Quality and Regulation: Despite sector-wide challenges, the service maintained strong regulatory compliance, with audit scores reaching 92–93%, reflecting a consistent focus on safety and standards.

· Advocacy and Community Partnership: New service user forums were created to ensure rights and voices are heard. Volunteers, families, and the Parents & Friends Association continued to provide critical support, including funding and advocacy for unfunded needs.

2024 was a year of progress, innovation, and partnership across Adult and Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services, driven by service user leadership and staff dedication:

· New Health Promotion Role: Introduced Ireland’s first Clinical Nurse Specialist in Health Promotion within mental health services, focusing on the physical health of those on long-term medication, with research evaluation planned in 2025.

· Solace Café Launch: We opened the Solace Café in partnership with The Well. We provide an out-of-hours mental health support service by referral and have created a welcoming, appointment-based space for those in crisis.

· Peer-Led Community Space: The Burton Hall horticulture unit was transformed into a daily peer-led club space, fostering creativity, connection, and service user engagement.

· Service Expansion & Access: Relocated the first community mental health team to a new site beside Dun Laoghaire Primary Care Centre. In CAMHS, the Waitlist Initiative significantly reduced wait times by increasing assessments and enhancing evidence-based treatment delivery.

· Neurodiversity-Inclusive Practice: A new neuro-affirmative initiative—supported by Better Life Foundation, ADHD Ireland, and NALA focused on communication accessibility, staff training, and autism-friendly design, including a revamped Lucena website and new ADHD-friendly materials.

St. John of God Dublin South East Services is proud to highlight Judith’s inspiring transition to independent living in 2024. Through a strong partnership with the St. John of God Housing Association, Judith was supported in moving from shared accommodation into her own home in the community. The video illustrates how person-centred planning, wraparound supports, and accessible housing enabled her to live independently, stay connected to her work, family, and friends, and enjoy the freedom to choose. Judith’s story reflects a shared commitment to delivering rights-based, community-focused solutions for people with intellectual disabilities and mental health challenges.

St. John of God Kerry Services are thrilled to share the story of PJ Herlihy, who bravely reflects on his experience of being discharged from Wardship. With the guidance of Michelle England, the service’s Decision-Making Coordinator, PJ shares his journey through the courts and the transition to a more independent legal status under the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act. The video highlights how PJ was supported using easy-read materials, accessible communication, and a personalised approach that respected his pace and preferences. It also introduces the role of a co-decision maker who will assist PJ in managing his health, welfare, and financial matters. PJ’s story is a powerful example of how rights-based support, when delivered with dignity and understanding, can enable people to regain control and actively shape their future. 

St. John of God Liffey Services is delighted to share Our Place, a powerful and creative project led by the Liffey Services that was scaled to Kerry Services. This multi-sensory installation celebrates self-expression, human rights, and the importance of belonging through art, sound, and storytelling. Co-created with artist Sinead McCann and Alan James Burns, and shaped by participants’ lived experiences, the project includes soundscapes, neon artworks, and deeply personal reflections on Rights and Happiness. Our Place was exhibited at the RHA Gallery for September and continued to Kerry County Museum through September and October. The project proudly supported inclusive arts practice, with over thirty co-artists and three co-designers in the creative team. Our Place is an artwork and a living statement of identity, inclusion, and community pride. 

St. John of God North East Services is excited to share their inspiring vision for the future of Day Services, which is focused on creativity, inclusion, and empowerment. Their new state-of-the-art centre will feature a drama and media studio, a fully equipped fab lab for pottery and painting, and a podcast room to amplify the voices of those supported. With strong community partnerships and innovative spaces like the central coffee dock, the project aims to create meaningful opportunities for expression, skill-building, and independence. This ambitious development reflects a commitment to person-centred support and a more visible, connected role for people with disabilities in their local communities. 

Lucena Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in Rathgar is leading the way in creating a more inclusive and welcoming space for neurodivergent young people. With support from the Better Life Foundation, exciting upgrades are underway to transform the environment, making it brighter, calmer, and easier to navigate. Plans include consistent flooring, softer lighting, a clearer reception area, and a brand-new hospitality station to create a warm, supportive first impression. As the first healthcare service in Ireland to earn Autism Friendly status from AsIAm, Lucena proudly embraces change, ensuring every young person feels seen, heard, and valued the moment they walk through the door. 

As Chairperson of the Board, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the 8,000 people supported by St. John of God Community Services, their families, and our dedicated staff teams. Your effort, compassion, and commitment continue to inspire us. This year, we’ve worked through real challenges, especially around funding, but we have never stopped aiming high. With the HSE’s support, we are implementing a new plan to strengthen and sustain our services. We are always listening—especially to those who use our services—and your voices shape the future of our organisation. Our goal is simple: to make things better, to help everyone feel safe, included, and supported. When the people we support are happy, we know we’re on the right path. 

2024 was a year defined by resilience, creativity, and purpose. Under the theme “Who We Are and What We Do,” we highlighted the values that guide us: hospitality, compassion, and respect and the everyday efforts of staff, volunteers, families, and the people we support. Despite ongoing funding challenges, we continued to deliver innovative, person-centred services with an unwavering commitment to quality. We began implementing our Sustainability Impact Assessment, shaping a clear path for the future with input from across the organisation. I am deeply proud of how our teams have embraced the Strategic Plan 2023–2025, working together to improve supports in Mental Health and Intellectual Disability services, advance integration, and expand opportunities for self-direction. Thank you to all who make this work possible. Your dedication ensures we remain focused on what matters most: supporting people to live lives of their choosing, as equal citizens in their communities.