News

As we begin 2025 we would like to wish you all a happy, healthy and peaceful new year.  We wish to share our deep gratitude with all those involved in our work in 2024 and all those who supported us in any way.  We made some very precious memories in 2024.  However we also acknowledge that this was a year where many of our members struggled deeply, and continue to do so.  It is our main priority to remain connected to families living in persistent poverty during these times.  We are proud of our collective achievements in 2024 and how we…

To mark the Christmas period we would like to share with you this beautiful memory from Community Activist Tracy, which she wrote in memory of her daughter Teresa.  Originally published in "Creative Pathways to Participation"- read here.  My favourite memory of one of my daughters Teresa is this one. It was coming up to Xmas and Teresa and Fran lived on the canal in a tent.Homeless, y’know? There were trees on the canal as well. My Teresa wanted to put lights on the trees y’know to have it Christmas looking.We got together a battery, one of them big ones y’know and…

My name is Lorraine Kelly and I am part of ATD Ireland.Growing up in Dublin city centre coming from a run down area-  I have not only seen socioeconomic discrimination but I have felt it.  In schools, in workplaces we even are constantly run down by our own government..I grew up where mothers and fathers had to work just to provide a home for their family.  Times have changed but the world remains the same.  Poverty and homelessness never left and there are more homeless in Ireland than there are homes ..I’ve seen people in jobs being treated less than because…

ATD Ireland really values the support of all our volunteers.  We could not carry out our work without them. There are many different ways to get involved and volunteer with ATD Ireland.  We have volunteers who support our admin, governance and family support work.  Other support us in fundraising and in our public projects.You many wish to get involved in a specific action.Our volunteers also include our Community Activists who fuel all our projects through sharing their lived experience, knowledge and wisdom.We also have many students and young people who carry out fixed term placements with ATD Ireland.Volunteering with ATD Ireland can…

Dear friends of ATD Ireland,We would like to thank you for your ongoing support. This Christmas we would like to ask you to please consider donating on a one time or monthly basis.Your kind donations will support our work in facilitating the voices of people in poverty being heard.Through home visits and weekly open house days we build trust and friendship with those experiencing extreme poverty. Through conversations, creativity and the creation of safe, non- judgmental spaces we listen and learn from each other, encourage people to find their voice and recognise their own wisdom, capacity and potential. We provide a…

https://youtu.be/fI0CNVydskE?si=bmAAQoBa6nK7hCDRAn event took place on Monday the 4th of November at Exchange House Ireland to celebrate the launch of a new film by ATD Ireland called “Community Conversations: Time for the recognition of socio-economic status in our equality law #addthetenth." The film focuses on the importance of adding the new 10th ground to the equality legislation to protect people from socio-economic based discrimination. It comes from the perspective of those with lived experiences of discrimination, academics and professionals working in the community and volunteer sector. The film aims to function as a call to action in order to finally get this…

ATD Ireland  are a member of the Community Platform.  The Community Platform is an alliance of national networks and organisations in the community and voluntary sector working to address poverty, social exclusion and inequalityThe Community Platform recently published the following report, compiled by Nat O’Connor, titled “What Would it Take to Eliminate Consistent Poverty by 2030?”.  Read the full report here.“Consistent poverty means that a household’s income is less than 60% of the median income and the household also experiences deprivation (meaning that they cannot afford two or more out of 11 necessities). Consistent poverty implies that there is a permanent…

On 4th October 2024 ATD Ireland including Community Activists Paul, Ann Marie, Andrew and Mason delivered the poverty aware practice module during a Tusla and University of Galway joint training conference.  The theme of the event was ‘Informing and Challenging Practice’ Anti-Poverty Practice and enhancing capacity in child welfare practice to address inequalities and address wider structural factors affecting children and families.   The conference was attended by professional Tusla social workers and management, academics, as well as Galway University social work students.  We really appreciated the invitation to this event and the opportunity to address those who have the power to make…

ATD Ireland has recently won first place in the Irish category of the Creative Lives Award for the “Creative Pathways to Participation” publication. The following reflection piece is based on a conversation with Paul - an ATD Ireland Community Activist and a key driving force behind the conceptual theme of the book. Paul speaks about the event in London, the creative process behind the project and the meaning of this kind of recognition for himself and the ATD Ireland community.   “Creative Pathways to Participation” is a piece of work that followed up to “Lockdown Liberties” - a 2021 ATD publication.  “We…

Dublin group wins Creative Lives Award Creative groups across the UK and Ireland celebrated at prestigious national awards Creative Lives, the registered charity that champions community and volunteer-led arts activity, is delighted to announce the winners of the 2024 Creative Lives Awards.The Creative Lives Awards celebrate the incredible achievements of groups and projects providing creative activity for people of all ages and abilities across England, Ireland/Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.A winner and runner-up was chosen from each nation. Dublin-based group ATD Ireland won the Ireland Award. They received an award and framed certificate, cash prize and free access to Creative Lives’ online…