Working together has aided growth of communities on city's northside 

Let’s Grow Together, a charity supporting children and families in the north-west of Cork city, has launched its strategic Plan for 2026 to 2030.

The launch gave an opportunity for many stakeholders, led by executive director Katherine Harford, to gather, reflect and look forward.

Let’s Grow Together began from the idea that professionals working with young children in Cork’s Knocknaheeny community could achieve far more by working together than apart.

Starting in 2011, a prevention and early intervention programme shape took shape becoming one of just 12 area based childhood programmes across Ireland dedicated to breaking the cycle of disadvantage from the earliest point in a child’s life.

In Winter 2025, Let’s Grow Together undertook a wide-ranging and inclusive consultation process to inform the plan supported by Rethink Ireland and Tusla’s ABC Programmes.

The strategic plan has four outcomes. Firstly to communicate clearly and consistently so every family who needs Let’s Grow Together can find them, join them, and grow with them.

A second outcome embeds prevention and early intervention services in communities by supporting parents and families of children aged zero to four years with practical evidence informed guidance on early years development.

A further outcome is to strengthen early years systems and professional practice and finally, the organisation aims to grow steadily and responsibly investing in staff and governance structures so everyone can thrive together.

Within these outcomes, Let’s Grow Together will continue to provide services like a home visiting programme, pregnancy yoga, newborn observation, baby massage, baby and toddler groups, and parenting workshops and an active parent’s forum.

Lord Mayor of Cork, councillor Damien Boylan said: “The vision is one we can all support, communities where children can have happy, healthy childhoods, and the opportunity to thrive.

“Behind that vision is a very practical understanding: Strong, confident families give children the support they need and families themselves sometimes need a helping hand.

“Parenting brings enormous joy, but nobody would pretend it comes with all the answers, having someone to listen, offer guidance, or provide the right support at the right time can make a huge difference.”

Other speakers included Bernie Laverty of Tusla; Martin Davoren, Cork City Council’s senior social inclusion specialist; Liz O’Brien, a nurse practitioner at the HSE’s homeless, drug and alcohol services for children; Selene Adame and Kian Mintz-Woo, who are members of Let’s Grow Together’s parents forum; and Kevin Fitzgibbon, the chair of Let’s Grow Together’s board of directors.