BlackRock kicking off with the next generation of Entrepreneurs

Session 1 went really well this week with Stanhope Primary School and new corporate partners BlackRock.

Solas Business is part of our Solas@School programme with a focus on three themes, building self-worth, character and motivation. These themes come together as a group of skills that develop the resilience and tools needed to successfully navigate the transition from primary to post-primary education.

In Solas Business we ask the kids - what is a problem you are facing and tasked to create a solution to address it. We've had some amazing ideas, from Bullybug, to Dog Lifts, a homework machine (who wouldn't love that!!), solar powered mobile phones (how do we not have these already)  to the 'Poover' (a personal favourite of mine!)

This week the kids learnt about the importance of first impressions, good eye contact & a firm handshake. They also kick started the innovation process and started to think about their business idea.

Thanks so much to our new friends in BlackRock, looking forward to seeing how things develop over the next couple of weeks!

If your company would like to get involved with Solas@School please email Clodagh O'Reilly - Clodagh@solasproject.ie

A day out in UCD for Solas College

We are delighted to partner with UCD for our Solas College programme this year.

Solas College is part of our Solas@school initiative, raising expectations of young people about their future and tackling some of the perceived (or real) barriers to going on to 3rd level education.

Last Friday we headed out to UCD with Stanhope St Primary School and corporate volunteers from BlackRock to check out the campus and get a glimpse into college life starting with the science lab!

A huge thank you to UCD for having us out, looking forward to the next trip.

We are hiring!

Can you help take Solas Project to the next level?

We have an exciting opportunity available at Solas Project

We are searching for a volunteer co-ordinator to fill a Maternity contract to find out more click: here Closing date: 11th November

Can you help get us ready for school?

The start of the new term is looming and we are really looking forward to welcoming our youngest and newest members of The Club tomorrow!

To make sure that every child has all they need to tackle the new school year we are looking for donations of school supplies. If you can help, please email Clodagh@solasproject.ie /086-4106218.

You can make a donation online via: https://www.idonate.ie/1919_solas-project.html

Or via EFT: IBAN: IE10BOFI90087757505579BIC: BOFIIE2D Bank of Ireland James St, Dublin 8

 Our Wish List!

• 48 Sum copies

• 48 writing copies

• 12 rulers

• 24 red pens

• 24 blue pens

• 12 children’s safety scissors (right handed)

• 12 children’s safety scissors (left handed)

• 24 packs Blu-tac(the white one that doesn’t mark the walls)

• 12 roll masking tape

• 24 rolls sellotape

• 12 rulers

• 24 rubbers/erasers

• 12 bottles PVA glue 250ml

• 24 large Pritt sticks

• 12 packs of white A4 paper

• 12 packs of Coloured Paper/Card A4

• Three battery operated pencil sharpeners (K & M Evans)

• Lots of A3 coloured card

• A3 paper of any description (newsprint etc)

• A2 coloured card & paper

• 20 packets of chalk (coloured and white)

Volunteer Celebration

We look forward each year to our Volunteers Celebrations, where we gather to acknowledge the work of our volunteers and thank them for how they support the staff of Solas Project and for their dedication to the children and young people.  

Last week we got to celebrate in style at The Mansion House who kindly opened their doors to host our event and with thanks to The Hilton Charlemont, Bar and Bistro, who spoiled us with their delicious array of canapes and desserts. 

We were delighted to have Nina Arwitz, CEO Volunteer Ireland, as our guest speaker for the evening, who reminded us of the positive impact volunteers can have at a local, national and global level.  Nina highlighted how essential volunteers are to organizations like Solas Project because without them we could simply not exist!  

Throughout the year we give out special service awards to those who have completed over 100 hours of volunteering with Solas Project.  We had a significant number to give out at this years celebration.  What became very evident as these awards were being presented, was that our volunteers offer up so much more than just their time.  They bring their whole selves to this role.  They work with such heart and vision, overcoming challenges, persevering and creatively think of ways to engage and inspire the children and young people they work with, drawing out and unlocking the  potential they each have in abundance.

To all our volunteers, from all different ages and stages and walks of life, we are thankful, not only for what you do, but for who you are.

A big thank you to Emily for organizing such a lovely event.  If you would like more information regarding volunteering with Solas Project you can contact emily@solasproject.ie

Our wonderful team of interns.

Nina Arwitz, CEO Volunteer Ireland

Thank You Hilton Charlemont, Bar and Bistro