Latest news with #VhiHealthandWellbeingFund
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
How the Vhi Health and Wellbeing Fund is tackling anxiety and powering youth resilience in Ireland
As the world around us continues to change, young people are met with exciting new opportunities but also complex new challenges. One of the most pressing is the rise in anxiety and mental health issues among young people today. Good health in childhood lays the foundation for confidence, stability, and strong decision-making in adulthood, but today's children are facing growing threats to their wellbeing, and the challenges they face are far-reaching. Across Ireland, youth organisations are creating safe spaces where young people can feel supported, seen and empowered to prioritise their mental and physical health. Their work is vital but also requires time, compassion and most critically, funding. Thankfully, the Vhi Health and Wellbeing Fund is on a mission to support the programmes making a meaningful difference in the lives of young people. Tackling anxiety one project at a time Recent research by the Irish Youth Foundation revealed that 75pc of youth workers regularly observe anxiety in the young people they support, while lack of funding remains their biggest challenge. In 2021, the Irish Youth Foundation released a study which showed that a majority of the 6000 people on a waiting list to see a psychologist were children. Health officials have since reported a four- to six-fold increase in referrals of children under 12 for mental health evaluations through GPs. Since 2020, Vhi, in partnership with the Irish Youth Foundation, has been helping youth organisations through the Vhi Health and Wellbeing Fund, supporting initiatives that focus on tackling anxiety and strengthening resilience in young people across Ireland. Lifechanging support from the grassroots This year's campaign ambassador, Jack Woolley, knows the importance of resilience better than most. The two-time Olympian and Dancing with the Stars contestant has been open about his own experience managing anxiety and staying mentally strong in the face of challenges, both on and off the competition stage. 'Growing up, my community and local youth groups played a huge role in supporting my Olympic dream, and they have encouraged me through all the highs and lows of my career so far,' Jack said. 'I've seen first-hand how important it is to maintain a healthy mind and body to reach your full potential. Vhi is providing vital funding to youth groups around Ireland who help young people to manage symptoms of anxiety and build resilience, and I'd encourage all youth groups to check it out and apply.' Since its launch, the Vhi Health and Wellbeing Fund has supported 44 youth-led projects in counties including Dublin, Cork, Kilkenny, Galway, Limerick and Donegal, reaching over 6,000 young people directly and over 200,000 indirectly through wider community impact. For 2025, Vhi is making €85,000 in funding available to non-profit and youth organisations working in these counties. The goal: to support projects that empower young people to build resilience and manage anxiety with a focus on early intervention and prevention. Sarah Edmonds, CEO of the Irish Youth Foundation, explained the importance of having the Vhi Health and Wellbeing Fund available as a resource saying, 'Young people are increasingly exposed to situations which create anxiety, and they often do not have access to necessary supports which can help improve resilience. 'The impact of the Vhi Health and Wellbeing Fund since 2020 has been inspiring and I am looking forward to seeing similar results in 2025. I would encourage all organisations working in the youth sector to apply.' Brian Walsh, CEO of Vhi Group, also emphasised the fund's long-term vision: 'Now in its fifth year, the fund demonstrates our firm commitment to support programmes that are making a meaningful difference in the lives of young people. By investing in community-based projects that tackle anxiety and build resilience, we are fostering a healthier and more sustainable future.' The Vhi Health and Wellbeing Fund is a lifeline for non-profits and youth groups doing this crucial work. If you're part of a youth-focused organisation with a vision for helping young people navigate anxiety and build resilience, now is the time to apply. The impact of the Vhi Health and Wellbeing Fund since 2020 has been inspiring and Vhi is looking forward to seeing similar results in 2025. Vhi is encouraging all organisations working in the youth sector to apply. For more information, or to make an application, visit Applications are now open and will close at midnight on Wednesday, 11th June 2025.
Extra.ie
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Jack Woolley on being a role model for his local community
Under the bright lights of international competition, Irish Olympian Jack Woolley has become more than just a taekwondo sensation—he's a symbol of resilience, grit, and possibility. Hailing from Tallaght, a Dublin community often overlooked and underserved, Jack's rise to the world stage is a testament to the power of perseverance. Chatting to the decorated athlete opens up about what it means to be a role model for young people from similar backgrounds, the weight of representation, and how his journey from local clubs to the Olympic mat proves that your postcode doesn't define your potential. Under the bright lights of international competition, Irish Olympian Jack Woolley has become more than just a taekwondo sensation—he's a symbol of resilience, grit, and possibility. As a Vhi Health and Wellbeing Fund Ambassador, Jack has called on Youth Organisations to apply to the Vhi Health and Wellbeing Fund, stressing the importance of community involvement and how it shaped his upbringing. 'From a very young age, I was always kind of involved in new clubs in my local area and stuff. It gave me something to do outside of the sport. My mam was a local volunteer. I remember actually coming home from school and I wanted to be on the basketball team but there wasn't enough volunteers, so I went home and I begged my mam. 'That kind of opened my mam's eyes to helping the local community and the young kids, because I'm from Tallaght, it's pretty difficult to find stuff to do for young people. We're kind of hanging around the streets and stuff. So she wanted to start up a few youth clubs. She did that. Then for many years, up until after I was 18, I actually started volunteering myself. Chatting to the decorated athlete opens up about what it means to be a role model for young people from similar backgrounds, the weight of representation, and how his journey from local clubs to the Olympic mat proves that your postcode doesn't define your potential. During his time on Dancing with the Stars, Jack surprised many not just with his dance moves, but with his openness about struggling with anxiety behind the scenes. For the Olympian, being candid about his mental health wasn't just personal—it was purposeful. He knew that sharing his experience could help others feel less alone, especially young men who are often discouraged from speaking openly about their emotions. ' I think you kind of learn to hide it easily enough. I would've struggled a lot with it when I was on my own. Especially in the mornings waking up. I'm very organised and I like to have everything in order, so first thing in the morning, I can be quite overwhelmed. Hailing from Tallaght, a Dublin community often overlooked and underserved, Jack's rise to the world stage is a testament to the power of perseverance. 'It kind of started to kick off around the time of trying to qualify for Paris, like the kinda last moments of it. I really started noticing a knock on effect of kind of being Jack Woolley, the robot athlete, people see that side of us and like we're just so focused on training and results and I think that kind of started to eat away at me a little bit and I kind of lost myself along the way of trying to become this Olympic athlete,' he mused. 'Although I had made Tokyo, obviously just getting back from Tokyo and having the assault and there was just so much going on that I never actually gave myself a break and then we focused on Paris, so the sport kind of just started to consume me as a person, and it eventually broke me just up until after Paris when I said I can't do it anymore. ' I want to keep Jack Woolley the athlete and Jack Woolley the person separate… so it was really important for me to go out there and show that on the TV and kind of be a voice for those who are maybe starting to lose themselves or want to find themselves a little bit more.' As a Vhi Health and Wellbeing Fund Ambassador, Jack has called on Youth Organisations to apply to the Vhi Health and Wellbeing Fund, stressing the importance of community involvement and how it shaped his upbringing. While Jack's shelves may gleam with medals and accolades, it's the messages from fans and the support from his local community that leave the deepest mark. Being seen as a role model—especially by those who walk the same streets he once did—means more to him than any podium finish. ' I just think that's the most important thing for me,' he added. 'The results are great, but when you get stopped on the street by young people or even adults just saying that you're an inspiration to them, it's everything.' ' I'm not just doing it for the fame, I don't want to do it for the Instagram followers. Of course, that's great, but I also wanna do it for young people and the next generation.' Vhi is partnering with Irish Youth Foundation to deliver the Fund once again this year and is seeking applications from non-profit organisations with ideas to support young people to manage their anxiety and build their resilience. Lack of funding is the biggest barrier to the development of youth services, so the timing of the Vhi Health and Wellbeing Fund couldn't be more critical. Applications are open now until midnight on June 11 at
