Vhi and the Irish Youth Foundation (IYF) have announced the recipients of the Vhi Health & Wellbeing Fund, with grants totalling €85,000 awarded to nine youth organisations and community groups across Ireland.
Based in Cork, the Crann Centre is among this year’s recipients and will use the funding to deliver programmes designed to help young people build resilience, manage anxiety and access vital supports within their communities.
The support from the fund will enable the Crann Centre to deliver three six-week blocks of structured expressive arts workshops for young people aged 12–25 with neuro-physical disabilities, helping them develop skills and peer connections, while reducing isolation and supporting wellbeing.
The latest awards bring Vhi’s total investment through the fund to €529,000 since its launch in 2020. Over the past six years, the fund has supported 63 organisations and projects nationwide, positively impacting almost 39,000 young people through targeted programmes focused on early intervention, prevention, resilience-building and emotional wellbeing.
RECIPIENTS NATIONWIDE
This year’s grant recipients span Limerick, Dublin, Cork, Kilkenny, Galway and Donegal, supporting young people from a wide range of backgrounds, including those experiencing addiction, disability, housing insecurity, social disadvantage and anxiety, as well as young refugees and those seeking international protection. Other organisations receiving funding include Southill Hub (Limerick), Mental Health Ireland (Galway, Kilkenny and Donegal), Aiséirí (Kilkenny), the Irish Refugee Council (Dublin), Galway Simon Community (Galway), Liquid Therapy (Donegal), Hygiene Hub (Dublin), Poppintree Youth Project (Dublin) and Irish Refugee Council (Dublin).
The projects funded this year reflect the important role community organisations play in supporting young people across Ireland. Through trusted relationships, innovative programmes and accessible supports, these organisations are helping young people build confidence, strengthen wellbeing and develop the skills needed to navigate life’s challenges.
