The Galway-based children’s grief service, HopeSpace, is among the recipients of a €20,000 cash injection from the fourth annual AIB Community €1 Million Fund to help with its work in the community.

HopeSpace – based at the SCCUL Enterprise Centre in Ballybane, Galway city – is a free, one-to-one listening service; they meet with children and young people aged from four to 17 who are experiencing loss from bereavement and help them to process their grief.

The charity’s aim is to make a positive impact on the lives of those children and young people who have been bereaved, to ease the pain that they are experiencing by helping them work through their grief.

HopeSpace chairman Myles McHugh said they were ‘absolutely delighted and grateful’ to be among the 66 recipients of the AIB Community €1 Million Fund.

“This support isn’t just a donation; it is what will enable HopeSpace to both sustain its current, vital services and look toward expansion to help even more people in the community,” he said.

“We’ve witnessed firsthand the positive and invaluable impact AIB’s ongoing commitment has had on other local organisations, and we are proud to join their roster of supported groups,” he added.

He revealed that the money awarded would go towards two projects – the launch of HopeSpace’s Peer Support Programme and an expansion of its Community Engagement Programme which provides information and resources through our website, social media, and public events.

“The fact that this award was the result of a public nomination makes it uniquely special for everyone at HopeSpace,” said Mr McHugh.

“It’s a deeply touching acknowledgment that our efforts in the community are resonating with the people we aim to serve,” he added.

For more information about HopeSpace and how it supports grieving children, young people, and their families, go to www.hopespace.ie.

Pictured at the cheque presentation were (from left) AIB Salthill Manager Alan Lee with HopeSpace Board Member Declan Farrell, Administrator Anita Naughton, Board Member Breda Fallon, and Coordinator Áine Deely.