Bejiggers! Taoiseach Isteach!

333

atest press release from Tiglin, issued on Wednesday, September 6th 2023…

Rise at the Cove, an initiative inspired by Wicklow County Council in association with Tiglin, employs individuals from a vulnerable cohort including those who fled from the war in Ukraine and those exiting Tiglin’s services. 

The importance of Social Enterprises and their value within communities was recognised today with Leo Varadkar visiting the recently awarded Social Enterprise of the Year ‘Rise at the Cove’. This Tiglin initiative has brought together the power of the overcomer and the power of the community that surrounds them.  Some of the overcomes that Tiglin are supporting are those who have fled the war in Ukraine while others are recovering from homelessness and addiction.

In March 2022 Tiglin open the doors of it Coolnagreina centre to some of the first Ukrainians to seek refugee in Ireland. The success of this initiative was due to collaboration between Tiglin, the community around them and the various voluntary and statuary organisations who mobilised themselves to make this place and the town of Greystones as homely and welcoming as possible at a time when pain, tragedy and separation were etched on the faces of those arriving at our doors.

Knitting the newest residents of Greystones into the town and its facilities became one of the key focus points of the efforts.  Local schools, sports clubs and voluntary bodies clubbed together to try and ease some of the shock of being uprooted from your home, your community and your family.

“Collaboration and the strengths of community, spearheaded by Tiglin is the recipe that has made Rise at the Cove the social enterprise of the year.  Wicklow County Council, the people of Greystones and the amazing staff who work in the cafe all play their part in making sure that the transactions that take place in Rise at the Cove are more than monetary.  These transactions are investments in people, their health and well being, their value to society and their place in community,”  said Aubrey Mc Carthy, Chairman and founder of Tiglin.

From those who work behind the counter to those who make much of the products, they are the people who Tiglin support.  Some are on the journey of overcoming homelessness, some have fled the war in Ukraine and some are standing strong in their recovery from addiction.

The impetus of Rise at the Cove sprung from a discussion between Wicklow County Council and Tiglin about the importance of ensuring that stigma was not something that separated the residents of Tiglin from the community around them.  

“This discussion proved not to just be a good conversation but it achieved everything that it was planned to be by scooping up two acclaimed awards:  ‘The Service/People of the Year’ with Wicklow County Council was awarded to Rise at the Cove while separately winning recognition from Wicklow County Council for Business and Enterprise.”  Phil Thompson CEO Tiglin

The manager of Rise at the Cove, Gavin Murphy was selected to run this unique concept because if his knowledge of the food industry and his attention to detail.  With a focus on quality and local produce and the importance of hard work, the staff are trained to the highest standard of customer service and barista coffee making.  This focus ensured that both those serving and those receiving the products felt valued, appreciated and important.  This paid off when Rise at the Cove won the Best Coffee in Greystones in 2022.

The overwhelming narrative that came from the Ukrainian residents in Tiglin’s facilites was that they were extremely appreciative and that they were also eager to work.  Many of those seeking employment were mothers who had to try and juggle childcare issues.  To bridge this gap, Tiglin, along with funding from The Community Foundation of Ireland created a bakery to produce baked goods for sale at Rise at the Cove, paid employment for the bakers and a work scheduled that bridged the gaps between child care and meaningful employment.

Jerry O’Connor, Public Affairs Director, Community Foundation Ireland added: ‘Equality for all in thriving communities is our mission as a philanthropic hub. In Greystones our partners Tiglin are making that mission a reality. Their response to the impact of war gives an insight into how communities across Ireland are responding to the needs of people seeking safety and shelter. We are proud of the partnership and all that has been achieved in assisting people in the most difficult of times.’ 

Minister Simon Harris joked to An Taoiseach about how Rise at the Cove was becoming his second constituency office and certainly the source of his favourite brew!  

Simon further expressed “how he was delighted and proud to show the Taoiseach the incredible work undertaken by Tiglin and the vital and integral part of our community that it is.”