Finn McLoughlin, TY Student, Comeragh College, Carrick-on-Suir was nominated for and won the 2024 Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club Young Ambassador Award last November. The project he proposed was to kickstart a pilot programme to help open up conversations about the substance abuse and addiction issues facing young people in Carrick-on-Suir using a collaborative approach.
Read on and find out more about Finn's project proposal and how this idea is becoming a reality with the support of a Community that would like to see a positive change on this vital issue.
LINKS TO SUPPORT SERVICES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY
Making Community Support Services that are available more accessible to young people and their families is a key outcome for Finn's #StayConnected project.
Click below and find out where you can get help at the local and regional levels. These are free non-judgmental, confidential services.
There is a Family support group clinic every Thursday from 6.30pm -8pm as part of the Suir Valley Community Based Drug Initiative @ 56 New Street, Carrick on Suir. Contact Gail Sheridan to book a place.
Gail is part of the #StayConnected Team, supporting the Interactive Educational Workshops on Substance Abuse and Addiction Awareness in the Secondary Schools and will also attend the Public Event.
Finn McLoughlin and Gail Sheridan chat about the #StayConnected project in the Tudor Artisan Hub Galleries
The Interactive Educational Workshops Schedule in Secondary Schools
Monday 7th April:
Morning 9AM: ERSS Edmund Rice Secondary School, Carrick-on-Suir
Afternoon 2PM: Comeragh College, Carrick-on-Suir
Morning 9AM: ERSS Edmund Rice Secondary School, Carrick-on-Suir
Afternoon 2PM: Comeragh College, Carrick-on-Suir
Tuesday 8th April:
Morning 9AM: St. Declan’s Community College, Kilmacthomas.
Afternoon 2PM: Scoil Mhuire, Greenhill, Carrick-on-Suir
Morning 9AM: St. Declan’s Community College, Kilmacthomas.
Afternoon 2PM: Scoil Mhuire, Greenhill, Carrick-on-Suir
Monday April 8th, 2025 - #StayConnected Team visit ERSS Edmund Rice Secondary School, Carrick-on-Suir
Photos by Noreen Duggan Photography
Monday April 7, 2025 - #StayConnected Workshop 1 - ERSS, Carrick-on-Suir.
Monday April 7, 2025 - #StayConnected Workshop 2 - Comeragh College, Carrick-on-Suir
Tuesday April 8th, 2025 - #StayConnected Workshops no. 3 - St. Declan's Community College, Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford.
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 - #StayConnected Workshop No. 4 - Scoil Mhuire, Greenhill, Carrick-on-Suir.
Regional Support Services
The South East Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force (SERDATF) is one of ten Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Forces which was established nationally in 2003, as a key recommendation within the National Drug Strategy 2001-2008. SERDATF is funded by the Department of Health, and covers the catchment area of Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford.
The #StayConnected Community Event - Open to the Public - This is a Free event open to all. At this event, we will hear from young Finn about his pivotal project, Conor Harris, ‘The Other Side of Life’ will give an empowering workshop sharing his personal addiction and recovery journey supported by SERDATF and WSTCYS teams who will be available to offer advice and support in all aspects of youth addiction at the local level. Please spread the word and come along and support this important initiative.
Tuesday 8th April, 2025 - Our Community Event in the Carraig Hotel Social Media Post
Thank you so much to everyone who came along to support the #StayConnected Community event last night in The Carraig Hotel opening up conversations about Substance Abuse and Addiction Awareness for young people in our Community - a project initiated by a 16 year old TY student Finn McLoughlin...our Young Ambassador Award winner 2024...we had a truly amazing evening
Shirley O’Shea, our Young Ambassador Officer for the last 3 years, introduced the event, thanking all involved in making this event possible last night - To the Lions Club Carrick-on-Suir, who have sponsored the event. And the Lions Team for promoting and spreading the word and posters about the event. Thank you for setting up, and turning up and being present in our 4 schools over the last 2 days supporting the #stayconnected interactive workshops. Thank you to Paul Norris and staff and the Carraig hotel, who kindly sponsored the room and space for this important conversation in our community. Thank you to the Tudor Artisan Hub and Linda for the huge amount of media work and promotion, and particularly Linda's mentorship of Finn - our Young Ambassador for his initiative; her support was invaluable. Thank you all the local Press and Radio, for supporting and promoting this initiative and being present here this evening. To the schools of Carrick-on-Suir, Scoil Mhuire Greenhill Carrick on Suir, ERSS Carrick-on-Suir, Comeragh College, Carrick on Suir - their Principals and co -coordinators, who brought it to 4th and 5th year Students. The conversation will spread. To my own school for the past 26 years St. Declan's Community College for rolling out and embracing this necessary and challenging conversation. My job is young people who matter, which is why Finn’s project struck such a chord with me. To Heath Gleeson - Print3DbyH for printing the 3D printed #StayConnected keyrings with QR codes linking to our project page and support services, to 'Now Science Consultancy, Waterford - Professor John Nolan and Jane for the sponsorship of the #Stayconnected Keyrings. To the South Eastern Drug and Alcohol Task Force's Development Officer - Jim O'Dwyer for his support, presence and engagement with this initiative. To Riona Green of the South-East Family Support Network for joining us this evening. To Gail Sheridan of the Suir Valley Community based drugs initiative, an organisation that has being doing invaluable work in our Community - located at 56 New St, over the last 20 years., who engaged with Finn and attended the rollout of the #StayConnected workshops in our Secondary Schools and for being here with us this evening. To anyone who has come from a club, society or youth organisation, who are in continuous work with the young people of the town. You have a very important role to play in the care of our young adults in our town. To the parents, to have the interest in this event following up the talks in school and making this conversation an open one and positive one with your young person. Thank you the local garda - Lisa Prendergast and colleague for joining us, thank you to Lion Graham Morphey - Dungarvan Lions Club for travelling to support us...and to Lion Stephanie Keating for MC'ing the evening.
A very special welcome to Hannah Bracken and Kendra Watson, our previous youth Ambassadors. Kendra who has in conjunction with the Lions Club, developed the sensory garden in our Heritage Centre and Hannah who is currently working on a Mental Health Promotion Bench.
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To Finn McLoughlin our 16-year old 2024 Young Ambassador. You are a pleasure to work with, Inspiring, Confident and Brave.
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”
What you have achieved in such a short space of time, kickstarting this vital Campaign to help young people in Carrick-on-Suir - is truly incredible - putting together a programme to help educate teens about the dangers of substance abuse and addiction using a collaborative approach, inviting someone young with a lived experience that you felt teens could relate to, opening up dialogue and reducing the stigma surrounding addiction so that teens can seek the support services available if they need it...and it is was important to you that these support services were accessible - so you engaged with SERDATF and Suir Valley CDI to make that happen ...and you advocated for schools to play a pivotal role in empowering teens to to make better choices and live substance-free lives and that happened...we are very proud of you and the Community were delighted to come together to support your brave vision.
Finn - gave an overview about this project and thanked all who helped him make it happen.
Finn chatted about the story behind the keyring - "The red ribbon represents substance abuse awareness, the hand reminds us to stay connected, the words ‘We Serve’ is the Lions Club motto, and a QR code charm links to my project page and includes addiction support services available locally if you or anyone you know is struggling. " Finn thanked Linda, Tudor Artisan Hub, Heath Print3DbyH and NOW-Science for making it happen!
Follow Finn's #StayConnected project journey here
To our amazing guest speaker Conor Harris, who runs an incredible programme 'The Other Side of Life' a young footballer from Co. Kildare who delivered 5 empowering interactive workshops over 2 days in Carrick-on-Suir - 4 in local schools and tonight's Community Event - sharing his lived experience, his harrowing cocaine addiction story openly and honestly and his inspiring recovering journey...Conor is just 25, is now almost 6 years in recovery after slipping into recreational drug use before his leaving cert which quickly led to drug misuse, addiction, psychosis by the age of 19, and after multiple hospital visits and a suicide attempt, Conor reached out for help and started his recovery journey after a 5-month rehab programme... Conor began 'The Other Side of Life' after he participated in RTE’s first ever series of ‘Davys Toughest Team’. "After the show, the number of people who had reached out to me who had been in a similar position was absolutely mind blowing. That began my journey to speak to GAA clubs, later Schools about my experience with addiction and recovery. I want to bring hope to every room I walk into and deliver my story to. I am not here to save the world as it’s not a reality, but if one person leaves each room I step into with a little bit of hope or a little bit of courage to start this conversation, that’s my work done." Conor
Here is the link to Conor's website:
Conor Harris is Finn's older cousin, and his recovery journey is truly what inspired Finn to pitch this important Youth project for Carrick-on-Suir. Finn felt that the young people would find Conor’s approach relatable and empowering...and YES Finn, they certainly did, we all did!
After Conor's presentation - we heard from all the support services - Gail Sheridan Suir Valley Cbdi who spoke about the services her organisations can offer to support young people struggling with substance misuse issues, family members of people living with substance misuse issues and members of the community affected by substance misuse. They provide a listening ear, motivational techniques, psycho-social education, holistic therapies and referrals to relevant services. The project has one staff member and a team of local community volunteers and is a community-based service working from a Community Development model.
Gail's office is located at 56 New Street
Riona Green - Coordinator with South East Family Support Network - Recovery for Families affected by problem substance abuse.
They provide One to One Support, 5 Step Brief Intervention, Health and Wellbeing, Self-care & Respite, Peer Family Support Group Meetings and a Bereavement support programme.
Here is the link to this network. Riona's office is in Waterford.
Jim O'Dwyer - who spoke about SERDATF, who offer a vast range of support services Tackling Substance Misuse in the South East Region. Their Vision is to reduce the impact of substance misuse on individuals, their families and our communities through a range of integrated effective interventions that help people make a difference for the better in their lives. We believe that the SERDATF should contribute to creating a safe and healthy community, support services that treat people with dignity and respect and an effective partnership approach to tackling substance misuse. They support a collaborative approach to transform the way drug and alcohol services in the South East develop, manage, implement and evaluate the most up to date, safe and effective interventions for people experiencing substance misuse issue.
Here is a link to SERDATF.
Conor Harris has visited GAAs and Schools across the Country and was in awe to see a Community come together on this #StayConnected initiative to support his young cousin's brave initiative
"It takes a village to raise a child, and it also takes the support of a community to come together to change the lives of our young people and promote a healthy lifestyle for them going forward" (Conor Harris)
After all the presentations from our guest speakers we invited the audience to ask questions, feedback and comments...and had wonderful interactive engaging conversations...and positive responses, conversations continued after the event was over.
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The Lions Club Motto is 'We serve' - We must serve the young people of our community. We must listen to our young people without judgement and with kindness and open minds and hearts. Young people today face challenges that we cannot fully comprehend. We must not only listen but ask the young people, what do we need to do?
Thank you to everyone who supported Finn on this initiative in anyway and a special thank you to Finn's family for being there at his side every step of the #StayConnected Campaign
Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club - Social Media Campaign
Launched 12th March 2025
We have some fantastic news to share with you all…about how an idea sparked by a 16-year-old TY Student is on its way to becoming a reality with the support of a fantastic Community that would like to see a positive change
"Stay Connected" - Finn's Youth Project
Finn McLoughlin, a TY student from Comeragh College who was honoured with the Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club Young Ambassador Award November 2024 for his ground-breaking initiative, aimed at combating youth substance abuse in his hometown, has received fantastic Community support to move forward with his brave project.
Finn's initiative "Stay Connected," is a collaborative pilot programme designed to open dialogue and reduce the stigma surrounding addiction among young people in Carrick-on-Suir so that teens can seek the support services available if they need it.
Finn's project highlights the importance of education and awareness in addressing substance (cigarettes, alcohol and drugs) misuse and addiction, advocating for schools to play a pivotal role in empowering teens to to make better choices and live substance-free lives.
The Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club has been a steadfast supporter of Finn's "Stay Connected" initiative, recognising the pilot programmes' potential to enact meaningful change within the community and beyond.
Finn has also received mentoring support from Linda Fahy, Tudor Artisan Hub (where he did his TY work experience placement Winter 2024) for each phase of his ambitious project and Linda has been managing his PR/Marketing campaign!
A key component of the collaborative initiative is the involvement of Conor Harris, a 25-year-old footballer from Co. Kildare, who had a harrowing battle with addiction in his late teens. Conor made an incredible recovery and is drug-free now for over 5 years. Conor runs a programme "The Other Side of Life," and has given inspirational talks to over 50 Schools and GAA Clubs throughout Ireland, sharing his personal recovery journey to inspire, empower and educate young audiences. Conor is also Finn's cousin, and his recovery journey is truly what inspired Finn to pitch this important Youth project for Carrick-on-Suir. Finn is confident that the young people will find Conor’s approach relatable and empowering.
The collaborative programme is supported by the South East Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force (SERDATF) who are delighted to come on board and will provide resources and expertise, further bolstering the initiative.
Shirley O’Shea, the Young Ambassador Award Coordinator for the Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club spearheaded the outreach to the local secondary schools: ERSS, Comeragh College and Scoil Mhuire along with her own School St. Declan’s Community College, Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford and all are delighted to get behind Finn’s pivotal project, aiming to spark a ripple effect of positive change in students.
It's happening in April...
An interactive, educational workshop empowering youth to make better choices and live a happy life without substance misuse hosted by Conor Harris, supported by SERDATF and the Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club will be held in the four Secondary Schools on April 7th and 8th, 2025.
An interactive, educational workshop empowering youth to make better choices and live a happy life without substance misuse hosted by Conor Harris, supported by SERDATF and the Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club will be held in the four Secondary Schools on April 7th and 8th, 2025.
We are also delighted to announce that we are hosting a special Community event in the Carraig Hotel on Tuesday April 8th at 7pm. This is a Free event open to all. At this event, we will hear from young Finn about his pivotal project, Conor Harris, ‘The Other Side of Life’ will give an empowering workshop sharing his personal journey supported by the SERDATF team who will be available to offer advice and support in all aspects of addiction at the local level.
The collaborative team leaders: Finn McLoughlin (Comeragh College), Shirley O’Shea and Stephanie Keating (the Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club), Conor Harris (The Other Side of Life), Jim O’Dwyer (SERDATF), Gail Sheridan (WSTCYS), Linda Fahy (Tudor Artisan Hub) supported by Finn’s family have been communicating in-person and virtually over a number of weeks to work out the best collaborative approach to help make this inaugural event as valuable as possible and are excited to make it happen and accessible for all.
So please spread the word, come along and support the Team and this amazing initiative kick-started by a 16-year-old with an inspiring vision. Gain valuable insights into how we can collectively make a positive difference.
“If this collaborative pilot programme on substance abuse education and awareness can help reach even one young person in our Community, it would be so worthwhile” says Finn, encapsulating the essence of his initiative.
Together let's empower our youth and pave the way for a brighter future!
As Helen Keller, Lions Club Ambassador once said "alone we can do so little together we can do so much"
Well done to young Finn McLoughlin for his vision and a big thank you to everybody involved in making this project happen in our Community.
To learn more about Conor Harris and The Other Side of Life, Click Below.
Our Sign promoting the #StayConnected Project - designed by the Tudor Artisan Hub
St. Patrick's Day Parade 2025 - Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary
Maria Madden and Stephanie Keating, Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club putting in a window display promoting the #StayConnected Young Ambassador Award Project. Thank you to Michael Murphy TD, for giving us his new Carrick-on-Suir office window to advertise this important Youth Campaign.
Further Background information for the Press about Finn's Project 'Stay Connected'
Stay Connected - A pilot programme to help tackle youth substance misuse
Finn McLoughlin, aged 16, Comeragh College, Carrick-on-Suir won the Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club Youth Ambassador Award 2024. The project idea Finn proposed was to kickstart a pilot programme to help open up conversations about the substance (cigarettes, alcohol and drugs) abuse and addiction issues facing young people in Carrick-on-Suir using a collaborative approach.
"Addiction in young people is a very real problem, it consumes families, it destroys and has taken lives. There is also a lot of unnecessary shame about Addiction. As a Youth Ambassador, I would like to demonstrate that by working together we can try and change this perception and help make a difference. In order to try and reach every young person, I believe much more needs to be done through the school system to educate and enhance awareness of the dangers of drugs, to empower teens to live a life without substance abuse, to lessen the stigma around addiction so that teens can seek the support services available if they need it. My project is about helping young people realise that not only is it common and dangerous for us to become addicted, but there are so many ways to get help. The Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club is an amazing organisation serving the people in need in our Community, they are very accessible, and I think they are the perfect vehicle to drive this vital Youth Project.” says Finn.
Finn proposed that as part of this collaborative approach, a guest speaker should be included who shares personal experiences with substance abuse addiction that young people can relate to – he feels that is key.
Finn invited Conor Harris from ‘The Other Side Of Life’, who has given inspirational talks to over 50 Schools and GAA Clubs throughout Ireland. Conor is a footballer from Co. Kildare. He is 24. He had a serious drug addiction in his late teens but managed to turn his life around and is now 5 years drug-free. Conor runs inspirational and relevant one-hour collaborative workshops on Substance Abuse Education and Awareness. Conor is also Finn's cousin, and his recovery journey is truly what inspired Finn to pitch this important Youth community service project for his home town. Finn is confident that the young people in Carrick-on-Suir will find Conor’s approach very relatable.
Finn invited Conor Harris from ‘The Other Side Of Life’, who has given inspirational talks to over 50 Schools and GAA Clubs throughout Ireland. Conor is a footballer from Co. Kildare. He is 24. He had a serious drug addiction in his late teens but managed to turn his life around and is now 5 years drug-free. Conor runs inspirational and relevant one-hour collaborative workshops on Substance Abuse Education and Awareness. Conor is also Finn's cousin, and his recovery journey is truly what inspired Finn to pitch this important Youth community service project for his home town. Finn is confident that the young people in Carrick-on-Suir will find Conor’s approach very relatable.
Finn has also invited the South East Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force (SERDATF) to come on board. SERDATF offer support services to young people and families affected by addiction. Finn hopes that together steps can be taken to build a pilot programme to educate and empower young people about the dangers of drugs and make the support services that are available to youth struggling with addiction more accessible.
“My hope is that this pilot programme would cause a ripple effect that could lead to positive changes not just at the local level, but effect change at the county, national and global levels also. If this Substance Abuse Education pilot programme could help reach even one person in our Community, that would be so worthwhile,” says Finn.
Finn went on to pitch his project idea at the National Young Ambassador Awards in Carlow, January 2025. Though Finn was not placed at the National Awards, the Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club is committed to supporting this vital Youth Service project idea in any way possible.
With the support of Shirley O'Shea, Youth Ambassador Coordinator with the Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club, ‘Substance Abuse Awareness & Education’ Workshop Events - hosted by Conor Harris – 'The Other Side of Life' supported by SERDATF and the Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club have now been booked into the 3 Secondary Schools in Carrick-on-Suir and in St. Declan's School, Kilmacthomas (where Shirley teaches) and also a Community event open to the Public will be held in the Carraig Hotel. At each event, Finn will introduce his Youth project and the guest speakers with the support of the Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club.
'Stay Connected' The Substance Abuse Education and Awareness Workshop Events Schedule is as follows
Monday 7th April:
Morning: ERSS Edmund Rice Secondary School, Carrick-on-Suir
Afternoon: Comeragh College, Carrick-on-Suir
Monday 7th April:
Morning: ERSS Edmund Rice Secondary School, Carrick-on-Suir
Afternoon: Comeragh College, Carrick-on-Suir
Tuesday 8th April:
Morning: St. Declan’s Community College, Kilmacthomas.
Afternoon: Scoil Mhuire, Greenhill, Carrick-on-Suir
Evening 7pm – Community Event, the Carraig Hotel, Carrick-on-Suir - Open to the Public.
Morning: St. Declan’s Community College, Kilmacthomas.
Afternoon: Scoil Mhuire, Greenhill, Carrick-on-Suir
Evening 7pm – Community Event, the Carraig Hotel, Carrick-on-Suir - Open to the Public.
Linda Fahy, owner Tudor Artisan Hub Arts Collective and Creative Enterprise, Carrick-on-Suir has mentored Finn with his project at both the local and National level and is excited to see 'Stay Connected' project come to fruition with the Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club at the helm. Linda is also supporting the Lion’s Club on the PR/Marketing campaign for Finn’s Project.
The Team – Finn McLoughlin (Comeragh College), Shirley O’Shea and Stephanie Keating (The Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club), Conor Harris (The Other Side of Life), Jim O’Dwyer (SERDATF) and Linda Fahy (Tudor Artisan Hub),– have been communicating in-person and virtually to work out the best collaborative approach to help make this inaugural event as valuable as possible and are excited to make it happen.
The Other Side of Life by Conor Harris is an interactive, educational workshop that is aimed at youth and adults of all ages, to empower and inform on the use of alcohol and recreational drugs, the importance of one’s inner circles, friendships, and influences, as well as what life is like on the other side, as a recovering addict. The presentation is delivered over 45 minutes, with opportunities for questions and informal conversations for a further 15 – 30 minutes, or however long it takes to ensure the needs of each facility are met. Click here to learn more about Conor's story and the Other Side of Life programme.
SERDAFT will support Conor Harris both at the Schools and the Public Event. SERDAFT will invite a broader team equipped to answer questions from the Community at the Public Event and will have information packs on hand. Click here to learn more about SERDAFT
So please spread the word, come along and support the Team and this amazing initiative kick-started by a 16-year-old. Gain valuable insights into how we can collectively make a positive difference in the lives of young people in our Community.
"As 'Stay Connected' takes shape and begins to make its impact, I want to sincerely thank everyone who has supported and believed in this project from the very beginning. Your encouragement, mentoring, expertise, and commitment have been instrumental in transforming this idea into a reality," says Finn.
Press Release - the Nationalist Newspaper 21st March 2025 - read online here
The Nationalist Newspaper, 3rd April 2025 - Article by Aileen Hahesy including an interview with Finn. Read online here
In the 3 Counties Newspaper - April 2025
The Story Behind Our Project Logo and Keyring!
Another exciting story to evolve from the 'Stay Connected' - Youth Substance Abuse and Addiction Education and Awareness project initiated by young TY student Finn McLoughlin...is the engagement with another inspiring and talented TY Student - 16-year-old Heath Gleeson - the young entrepreneur and Maker of Print3DbyH, who joined the Tudor Artisan Hub arts collective recently...
We commissioned Heath to 3D print a keyring prototype for the 'Stay Connected' project based on the campaign's Red Ribbon Logo and tagline #StayConnected.
The idea behind the Red Ribbon was inspired by 'Red Ribbon Week' celebrated in Schools annually October 23-31 in the USA...highlighting the importance of living a drug-free life.
The project motto to 'Stay Connected' evolved from Zoom meeting conversation with Jim O'Dwyer (SERDATF) and Conor Harris (The Other Side of Life) and Finn's Vision to lessen the stigma and reach out if you need help. 'We Serve' is the Lions Club's Motto. The Awareness Ribbon with the hand is a Canva Design, our graphic designer Daria Kravtsova, a graduate of Game Art & Design TUS, Clonmel Campus helped modify the design for the Campaign.
Our hope was to also add a QR code linking to the project on our virtual portfolio site and if possible to add links to Drug Awareness Youth Support Services - that teens can access easily, if needed - which is very important to Finn. Heath came up with the idea of adding a separate 3D-printed charm to the keyring with the QR code, which is brilliant!
The next step was to secure sponsorship to 3D print the keyrings for the 'Stay Connected' event April 8, 2025. Thanks to a generous donation by Professor John Nolan 'NOW-Science' Consultancy Ltd, Waterford to the Project, we are able to kickstart the production of the 3D keyrings. John Nolan, originally from Carrick-on-Suir was delighted to help fund this Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club Young Ambassador Award - inspiring community project and support the brave vision of Finn and the entrepreneurship of Heath...
Stay tuned to see where this story goes when Finn and Heath - both TY students from Comeragh College put there inspiring heads together!
We commissioned Heath to 3D print a keyring prototype for the 'Stay Connected' project based on the campaign's Red Ribbon Logo and tagline #StayConnected.
The idea behind the Red Ribbon was inspired by 'Red Ribbon Week' celebrated in Schools annually October 23-31 in the USA...highlighting the importance of living a drug-free life.
The project motto to 'Stay Connected' evolved from Zoom meeting conversation with Jim O'Dwyer (SERDATF) and Conor Harris (The Other Side of Life) and Finn's Vision to lessen the stigma and reach out if you need help. 'We Serve' is the Lions Club's Motto. The Awareness Ribbon with the hand is a Canva Design, our graphic designer Daria Kravtsova, a graduate of Game Art & Design TUS, Clonmel Campus helped modify the design for the Campaign.
Our hope was to also add a QR code linking to the project on our virtual portfolio site and if possible to add links to Drug Awareness Youth Support Services - that teens can access easily, if needed - which is very important to Finn. Heath came up with the idea of adding a separate 3D-printed charm to the keyring with the QR code, which is brilliant!
The next step was to secure sponsorship to 3D print the keyrings for the 'Stay Connected' event April 8, 2025. Thanks to a generous donation by Professor John Nolan 'NOW-Science' Consultancy Ltd, Waterford to the Project, we are able to kickstart the production of the 3D keyrings. John Nolan, originally from Carrick-on-Suir was delighted to help fund this Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club Young Ambassador Award - inspiring community project and support the brave vision of Finn and the entrepreneurship of Heath...
Stay tuned to see where this story goes when Finn and Heath - both TY students from Comeragh College put there inspiring heads together!
Daria Kravtsova, a graduate of Game Art & Design TUS, Clonmel Campus modified the graphic design supported by Linda, Tudor Artisan Hub.
3D printed Stay Connected Keyring prototype by Heath Gleeson - Print3DbyH
The keyring has a charm with the QR code to our project page and access to Support Services.
Young Heath and Finn discussing the design of the 'Stay Connected' keyring in the Tudor Artisan Hub on the 11 March 2025...at an earlier design phase!
Thanks to Prof. John Nolan - NOW Science Consultancy Ltd., Waterford for supporting the production of the 3D printed 'Stay Connected' Keyrings.
Finn presenting at the District 133- Ireland, Lions Club Awards, Carlow
My Lions Club Young Ambassador Award Project Proposal at the National Level
Finn McLoughlin wins the Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club Young Ambassador Award, November 2024
