Celebrating Success Awards Relaunch!

• 30 Nov 2022
• |
• Ireland

For the first time in several years, the Celebrating Success Awards (former Service User Awards) were revived in 2022. The first of our four jurisdictions to lead off with their celebrations was the ROI.

Welcome From The Director

At the recent event in Mullingar Park Hotel, the Director of Care and Development for Ireland, Carol Breen, spoke of how important it is to recognise the work of the people supported at Praxis as well as staff in their joint bid to live a life which is as independent and as fulfilled as possible.

“It has been several years since we were able to run these awards so I am particularly thrilled that we are all together once again to celebrate,” said Ms Breen.

I am privileged to work with such a dedicated team of care workers for whom the sole aim is to help the people we support to achieve goals and fulfill ambitions,” she said.

“We support 400 people with autism, intellectual disabilities and mental ill health across Ireland through day services and residential care. The needs and wishes of the individuals across the country range widely and we are all inspired by the perseverance and dedication shown by everyone, particularly during the very difficult days of COVID lockdown.”

Award Presentations

After a public nomination process, the judges reflected on each person’s journey to narrow down to a list of 43 finalists. Nominations were received from staff, peers, loved ones and other community members.

The compère of the event, Dr. Gerry Cunningham who sported a formal tuxedo, brought the laughs joking that part of his act would be to saw one of the organisers in half.

Surrounded by family, friends and support staff, each of the finalists was profiled in a short video. Achievements ranged from going to the supermarket for the first time to learning the guitar to helping to organise outreach for the homeless in Dublin.

Celebrations Were Enjoyed By All

After the awards presentations, the attendees were treated to the Viva Manila Band who performed songs by request, going table to table during the lunch. Several of the finalists were inspired to get up and dance between the tables!