Special Olympics Ireland

🌟 STRONG MINDS 🌟 On this World Mental Health Day, we are highlighting Ireland’s first mental health promotion programme for people with intellectual disabilities. Developed and co-produced with Special Olympics Health Messengers, staff, volunteers, and Mental Health Ireland, this initiative is all about empowering athletes. Meet athlete Margaret Turley, one of our Strong Minds ambassadors and Health Messengers: "My name is Margaret Turley. I am from Kilkenny but living in Dublin for the last 11 years. I am involved in basketball with Sports Club 15. We won division 2 and went up to division 1 which was a big step up for us. Good health and fitness is very important to me as they help me to participate in sports and be the best athlete I can be. I wanted to become a Health Messenger so I could help others be healthy and fit. I have a big interest in healthy eating and fitness. I hope to help other athletes by sharing what I know and supporting them to make healthy choices." Margaret's passion for helping her fellow athletes to make healthy choices extends to their mental health and mindset - and a focus on mental wellbeing and health has helped her to overcome challenges and achieve milestones like becoming Ireland's only Sargent Shriver Global Messenger, advocating for people with intellectual disabilities on a global stage. Check out this link for more information: https://lnkd.in/eSK8gkrs Join us in supporting our athletes on their journey to stronger minds! #WorldMentalHealthDay #SpecialOlympicsIreland #StrongMinds #HealthMessenger Mental Health Ireland

It was wonderful to be at the beautiful new Shaws Department Stores in Athlone today along with local Special Olympic members of St. Hilda’s special School and Sevices! Shaws have been a valued partner and supporter of Special Olympics for years and we wish all the team at the Athlone branch the very best of luck! Conrad Digan Shaws Department Stores Ger Osborne #makeadifference #partnership #csr #specialolympicsireland #shoppingday

We're #hiring a Regional Development Officer for Volunteers in the Ulster Region. Apply today at https://lnkd.in/eYchCH9q For up-to-date career opportunities with Special Olympics Ireland, be sure to check our Careers page at https://lnkd.in/epXxDMkw #job #vacancy #volunteers #specialolympics #specialolympicsireland

🌟 Only 150 days to go until the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy! 🌟 Get ready to cheer on Team Ireland’s incredible skier, Lucy Best, as she gears up for the big event. Watch her inspiring journey in this video and feel the excitement build! 🏔️ ❄️ Lucy has been skiing since she was 10 and has competed in the Special Olympics since Ski Ability NI became affiliated 12 years ago. She won bronze in the downhill and giant slalom events in South Korea in 2013 and secured 2 silver medals at the European Ski Championships in 2023. Her sporting journey has been amazing, and she loves meeting new athletes and making friends. She encourages everyone to give skiing a try – “all of my coaches are fabulous!” ⛷️ Go #TeamIreland! #SpecialOlympicsIreland #RoadToTurin #InclusionRevolution #WWG2025 Special Olympics Special Olympics Europe Eurasia

🌟 Meet Una Coates, one of our trained Health Messengers! 🌟 "As a Health Messenger, I am hoping to do more of lecturing and events and continue our meetings with other health messengers. Being part of this team has really made a difference to my life. I am more motivated to get up for work and start the day well. I am also much more active and going to the gym more. I recently did a 5km walk and lots of people came out to cheer me on. I feel I am getting a lot of support." A Health Messenger is a Special Olympics athlete who has been trained as a health and wellness leader, educator, advocate and role model within their Special Olympics clubs and the wider community at large. Thank you for making a difference, Una, for being a brilliant advocate for health, and giving support to other athletes! 👏💪 You can read more about our Health Messengers Programme here 👉 https://lnkd.in/g_a3-vNJ #sportsforall #inclusionmatters #leaders #fitness #empowerment

The 2024 Special Olympics Ireland Volunteer Awards was a celebration of the people that make our movement happen! Day-in, day-out, at grassroots level, from local clubs to regional committees, and from coaching to event organising to Games at all levels - we couldn't transform lives through sport without our volunteers. Read our news piece at https://lnkd.in/edzSXWUR to learn more about the amazing recipients of these awards, access photos, and find out about volunteering opportunities. #volunteer #SpecialOlympicsIreland #makeadifference

📢 Consultant Opportunity: Special Olympics has launched a request for proposals for a consultancy to develop a suite of resources for coaches of youth athletes within Special Olympics. We welcome applications from any interested parties and full details are included in the attached documentation. The deadline for the receipt of proposals is October 14th 2024. If you have any questions please reach out!

🌟 Meet Joe McNamara, one of our trained Health Messengers! 🌟 "My name is Joe McNamara. I am from Craughwell, Co Galway. I am involved in swimming and golf. Being healthy is important to athletes so that they can be fit and strong to participate and win their games and competitions, making their families, club and team proud. I wanted to become a Health Messenger so that I could be a role model and represent Special Olympics Ireland in spreading the word about why health is important. I hope to help other athletes become healthier by educating them about different types of food and portion sizes. I want to help athletes be fit for competition so they can make themselves proud." Thank you for making a difference, Joe, for being a brilliant advocate for health, and giving support to other athletes! 👏💪 You can read more about our Health Messengers Programme here 👉 https://lnkd.in/g_a3-vNJ #sportsforall #inclusionmatters #leaders #fitness #empowerment

🏆 The Special Olympics Munster Football Cup 2024 was a fantastic event both on and off the pitch! ⚽ Teams from various counties in Munster and Carlow came together to showcase incredible sportsmanship and leadership. Held at Munster Technological University, Bishopstown, Co. Cork, the tournament brought athletes, volunteers, and spectators together for a day of competitive and inclusive football. 🌟 #SpecialOlympicsIreland #Football #InclusionMatters Check out the EchoLive article for the full story 👉 https://lnkd.in/eNKvy6WF

🌟 Proud to represent Special Olympics Ireland, where athletes like Anita Forde shine. Anita is not only a talented basketball player but also a skilled drummer. Her T-shirt design beautifully captures the harmony of music and inclusion, bringing people together. Discover her work and other athlete-designed creations in the Special Olympics web shop. https://lnkd.in/eSHEyP4a