Groups recognised on shortlist for Cork Lord Mayor’s community awards

Churchfield Community Trust Clg, established in 1994, provides a variety of therapeutic supports for individuals facing challenges such as addiction, substance misuse, and offending behaviour.

Its services include workshops where participants are trained and mentored in key vocational skills such as woodcraft.

It manages The Garden Café in Blackpool which provides hands-on training in hospitality serving food to the public, as well as field to fork at St Mary’s Campus where vegetables and herbs are grown for use on menus in leading restaurants.

Their Cara meal distribution service also provides a daily service to Farranree, Gurranabraher, and Knocknaheeney communities.

Paul O’Donnell, project manager, told The Echo: “The social impact of Churchfield Community Trust within communities on the northside of Cork city is of significant societal importance.

“As a community-based organisation, we are extremely grateful to be shortlisted for the Lord Mayor’s Community and Voluntary Awards in the social enterprise and innovation category.

“Churchfield Community Trust provides a diverse range of services in areas such as outreach, therapeutic support, education, and employment.

“Participants are trained and mentored daily in key vocational skills such as Cara meal distribution, catering, horticulture, and woodcraft by skilled staff with industry experience in social enterprise development and social inclusion.”

The second nominee in the category is Saoirse — Ethnic Hands on Deck, a migrant women-led social enterprise established in 2021 that creates pathways to employment, empowerment, and community connection.

Founded by and for women with lived experience of migration and direct provision, their work includes running workshops, producing handmade textile and candles, and catering services featuring recipes from around the world.

Each initiative is designed not only to generate income for the women, but to build confidence, create belonging, and challenge stereotypes.

The catering project, Sanctuary Catering, is an operational catering company and a training initiative.

Group co-founder Arife Daci Hysaj said: “As a co-founder, it makes me very proud to see that the work we have been doing for years to support and empower migrants and new communities is now helping so many people and being recognised through the Lord Mayor’s Community and Voluntary Awards by the community where we are now settled.

“Our vision has always been to help build a more inclusive and intercultural Ireland where migrant voices are heard, valued, and included in shaping a more equal future for everyone. This nomination means a great deal to all of us and reflects the dedication and commitment of everyone involved in our work.”

The third nominee, Cork Deaf Enterprises, is an employment hub for the deaf and hard of hearing, striving to eliminate barriers to employment, operating since 1987.

The group supports individuals on their journey to find work, either through their organisation or with other employers.

As a respectful, inclusive, and eco-friendly social enterprise, they focus on “profit for purpose” by providing reupholstery, french polishing, and bike repair services while exploring new employment projects.

Cork Deaf Enterprises is Ireland’s largest employer of deaf and hard of hearing individuals.

Since it was founded, it has grown from 10 to 36 employees, with 29 identifying as deaf or disabled.

Their long-term goal is to establish a diversity centre that offers a barrier-free environment for people with disabilities to pursue careers.

In the past two years, more than 30 students from various backgrounds have completed work experiences with them, including six from other European countries.

Cork Deaf Enterprises currently have a three-month waiting list for their retail services and are committed to the circular economy by giving new life to furniture and bikes, preventing them from ending up in landfills.

A spokesperson for the group said: “Being nominated for the Cork City Lord Mayor’s Community and Voluntary Awards 2026 means a huge amount to all of us at Deaf Enterprises.

“It is a lovely recognition of the work we do every day to support and empower the deaf community, create opportunities, and help make services and workplaces more inclusive and accessible for everyone,” the spokesperson said.

“We are proud to be an integral part of the local community, working closely with people, organisations, and businesses to create positive change.

“Through our work in reuse and the circular economy, we also aim to promote sustainability while creating meaningful training and employment opportunities.

“This nomination really reflects the positive impact our team and community continue to make together.”

• See more shortlisted nominees in Monday's paper.