John O'Connor-A Volunteer's Story

Volunteers are the heart and soul of Solas Project, and without their generosity and skills it would be impossible for us to achieve our vision.  Therefore, we want to take this opportunity to thank our many volunteers for giving up their valuable time. John O’Connor, a loyal and dedicated volunteer who works in The Yard shares his experience of getting involved with Solas Project.

In early 2014 John’s daughter noticed an advertisement for Solas Project and saw that we were looking for volunteers. John read the ad, liked what he saw and responded, and the rest as they say is history!

Before Solas Project, John spent thirty five years working as a woodwork, construction and technical drawing teacher.  John found teaching very rewarding and enjoyed the academic year working in Ireland and then took memorable holidays in America, working hard and having plenty of fun along the way.

When John retired after a lifetime of working, he found himself at a bit of a loose end.  So when he found Solas Project it was a great way for him to pass on his experience and expertise. He stated that he gives his time willingly to Solas Project and gets enormous personal satisfaction back from his time here. John says that he really enjoys the company of fellow volunteers and the Solas Project staff.  His time and skills are greatly appreciated and he believes there is a real feel good factor in giving something back by volunteering.

After many years working and teaching, John has accumulated an array of useful, practical and transferable skills. And whilst these hard skills are extremely important and form the bedrock of what the Yard is all about, John also passes on vital soft skills that can guide a meaningful change in the people he helps to mentor week after week.  John claims that one of the most satisfying aspects of volunteering is seeing the same students come back week after week, and seeing them change and grow. 

We are so grateful every day to have wonderful volunteers like John and many others, so here's to you guys! We couldn't do it without you.

Solas Project Tag Blitz

Waking up at 5.40am and leaping out of bed to check the weather, is believe me - not a regular occurrence for Solas Project staff, however - when you are expecting over 250 5th & 6th class students for an outdoor event, it's mandatory!

Despite a shakey start weather-wise, Terenure Rugby Club became the centre for our annual Tag Rugby Blitz. With young people coming from 9 local schools and corporate volunteers from Google, Web Summit, Savills and Maples & Calder it was a hive of activity.

Building up confidence pre-match

The Solas Project Tag Blitz is the final part of our Solas Sports programme. Over the course of the year, Solas Project run 6 week Solas Sports programmes for 5th & 6th class students in the local area. Starting off with basic skills and fun games, we move onto introducing the tag belts (this is a great week for the kids) and we end the final 2 weeks teaching them about the dreaded "backwards pass".

Throughout the weeks, alongside sports, the young people take part in sessions on teamwork, the power of words, courage, identity, choices & commitment.

6th Class match

We teach the kids the value of team-mates, that we should always try and say things that build people up and not knock them down, that we are all different, but we embrace the fact we all bring different talents and abilities to our team, that choices have consequences, and that with commitment comes reward.

We never keep scores at these matches, it is all about taking part and the tag blitz was no different. The young people played 4 matches each, no winners, no losers just fun!

Our wonderful volunteers play such an important role on the day, they are someone of good character, good example, a good sportsman/woman, an encourager, a motivational player when the team is feeling down and someone who watches out for the kids that aren't getting involved and brings them in. We are so grateful to all our corporate volunteers that helped us on the day.

There was a final game between Google and WebSummit volunteers, where the pressure was on for performance, as you know we don't keep score so we can't tell you who won (ahem it was WebSummit).

A huge thank you to: All the Principals & teachers we worked with through the year, Simon Bewley, Dylan and Stuart from Irish Tag Rugby Association for reffing & providing the equipment on the day, Terenure Rugby Football Club, John Bourke & Will O'Reilly our wonderful photographer who generously volunteered his time, Sam Whelan-Curtin our videographer & Dublin Bus for transport! Takes a lot to get 250 young people together!

Horse riding!

Yesterday our Transition after school Club were delighted to be taken down to Killegar Stables by a group from our Charity Partners Hilton Hotels.

Horse-riding is a real treat for our young people and we were blessed with the fantastic sunshine, a perfect day!

Combined with a picnic and treats, our young people got the chance to take on a new challenge and enjoy a new experience.

We are so grateful to all at the Double Tree Hilton for sharing this great adventure with us!

Job Vacancy - Youth Cultivator

We are delighted to announce the recruitment of a  Part-Time Youth Cultivator role. This person will come on board 'The Club' team working with our youngest members (aged 6 -8).

The Club is our after school programme, creating a safe home like environment for children.

Application to be made to:

Clodagh O'Reilly, Solas Project, 40 Marrowbone Lane, Dublin 8

Closing date: Thursday 18th June, 5pm.

Job Description

Compass claims the win!

On Wednesday last, Insurance group Ecclesiastical  joined up with our Compass programme to play a football match. Compass is about providing a seamless, structured post release programme for youth offenders, delivering emotional support and practical assistance. We believe that the combinations of pre and post release support services are essential to the successful reduction of re-offending rates.

The excitement was building as staff from Ecclesiastical entered Wheatfield prison last Wednesday evening to play a football match against the 18-24 year old cohort of young men. A great time was had by all and at one stage it looked like it may have been a close game. Although, unfortunately for Ecclesiastical they lost out by two goals to the lads of Wheatfield Prison with the finishing score being 4-2 to Wheatfield.