All About Cork: Afternoon tea party organised by Apple volunteers

Resilient Cork Fund winners

Rethink Ireland has announced seven awardees for the Resilient Cork Fund 2025 — two of which are local.

The cash grants and business support provided through this fund will help to strengthen communities facing social and economic exclusion, tackling challenges such as mental health issues in the community, rural isolation, and urban marginalisation.

Among the awardees are Studios of Sanctuary at Sample-Studios and WellSchools Initiative, Let’s Grow Together.

“Winning Rethink Ireland’s Resilient Cork award is transformative for the Let’s Grow Together collaboration with The WellSchools Network,” said Katherine Harford, executive director, Let’s Grow Together.

“It enables us to scale our trauma-informed education initiatives, supporting educators and students across Cork. It’s a powerful endorsement of our vision for well-being in education.”

The other awardees from across Cork city and county — all of whom also focus on disability access, mental health support, and tackling poverty — include the Inclusive Dance Cork at the Firkin Crane; Cork’s Baby Bank, Community Connect Support; Deaf Awareness and the ISL Act, Cork Deaf Association; Leading the Way, Irish Dogs for the Disabled; and Cork Anti Poverty Resource Network (CAPRN) Volunteers’ Training and Community Outreach Project.

Pádraic Valley, senior philanthropy and development manager and head of Munster Rethink Ireland, said: “We’re incredibly proud to see these awardees delivering innovative strategies that foster social inclusion and sustainable community development across Cork city and county. Since 2020, we’ve invested €3.2 million in Cork-based social innovations through our place-based approach.”

Rethink Ireland is funding body that aims to create a more just, equal and sustainable Ireland.

Brick sponsors wanted

Castleview AFC are encouraging people in the community to support their ‘Sponsor a Brick’ fundraiser.

“We are in the final stage of an incredible journey — the construction of our brand-new clubhouse, the first step in the complete redevelopment of O’Sullivan Park,” the organisation said.

They said that a top-of-the-range facility for the community is closer than ever to being delivered.

“However, unexpected costs have pushed the total clubhouse project cost over €400,000, and while we have made tremendous progress in fundraising and grant approval, we now need your support to get us over the finish line.”

The ‘Sponsor a Brick’ initiative gives people and families involved in the club and community the chance to get involved to help.

“Every contribution, big or small, helps bring this much-needed facility to life,” they added.

An individual brick is €50, a family brick is €100, and a business brick is €150.

Visit Castleview AFC’s Facebook page for more information on how to get involved.

Have Knocknaheeny, Gurranabraher and Hollyhill news to share? Contact Sarah.odwyer@theecho.ie