Social entrepreneurs awarded €100,000 for community input
Anne Bedos, who previously worked in the charity and community development sector, founded Rothar 2008 in a bid to counter the “throwawayism” mentality that pervades society.
The organisation runs a community-based shop in Phibsborough, Dublin, selling refurbished bicycles, accessories and second-hand parts.
The group also offers classes and workshops on bicycle repair.
In recent months it opened a cycle cafe on Fade Street near the city centre, where commuters can grab a home-made bun while waiting for their bike to be fixed. There are plans to open more outlets outside the capital.
“We bring a different approach to business. We’re a social enterprise and we give back to the community,” says Ms Bedos, who is originally from France. “It means a lot to get recognition from mainstream organisations. It shows we’re just not a ‘hippy’ project. We do have a place in a larger world.” See rothar.ie
Dress for success: Helping women to suit themselves
The mission of Dress for Success Dublin is to promote the economic independence of low-income women by providing professional attire, a network of support and career development tools.
The non-profit organisation was founded in New York in 1997 to help stem the underlying causes of poverty through grassroots programmes that produce long-term solutions.
The Dublin branch of the group was launched by Sonya Lennon, best known as a presenter on RTÉ’s Off the Rails.
As the organisation itself puts it: “As women emerge from poverty they bring their families with them, meaning that the assistance that we provide our clients trickles down to their children and eventually the communities in which they live.” For information, see dressforsuccessdublin.org
My mind: affordable counselling in a crisis
Access to basic, affordable counselling and psychotherapy services are limited at best. Psychologist Krystian Fikert and his team at My Mind are seeking to fill that gap.
The non-profit organisation he founded in 2006 operates two clinics in Ranelagh and Amiens Street in Dublin’s north inner city.
The cost of private counselling or psychotherapy services – usually in the region of €80 to €100 an hour – is prohibitive for many.
To help clients, the centre operates a sliding scale based on a client’s ability to pay. Unemployed patients or students, for example, can avail of €20 sessions, while a standard session is €50.
He says the vast majority of us will, at some time in our lives, need psychological support.
“If this is available, we have the chance to grow and mature psychologically through a crisis, and not allow it become a life-long affliction,” says Fikert.
See mymind.org
