Happy 10th Birthday Gateway!
We had a fabulous 10th birthday yesterday. Thanks to everyone involved for making it an unforgettable celebration and World Mental Health Week event.
Gateway Project's achievements promoting positive mental health and social inclusion over the last ten years are impressive. Our birthday celebrations yesterday were equally so with a whole range of fun, social and positive mental health activities that took place throughout the day.
We had live music from local musicians Davina Brady and Chris Maxey as well as Gateway Member Sean Cahil Accordion Player extraordinaire and member's singing. We had a drumming circle with 8 members and Eddie from the NCH Outreach Programme (more in 2015 folks). We heard from Gateway Member and Representative Oliver Duffy on his own journey and why Gateway is such an important community mental health resource and heard more members' thoughts on this from Ann Marie Mullen's What Gateway Means to Me box. We heard the talented Nicholas Carroll, Gateway Member and poet with his delivery of a specially crafted poem for the occasion. We had an Art Exhibition and interactive talk with Tim Lloyd and members. We had a Creative Writing Exhibit with readings from Gateway writers. We had our interactive Wellness Tools Wall, Project Information and the launch of Gateway member's commemorative 10 year booklet.
We had lots and lots of party food and cake - mostly due to the kindness of local business people and friends particularly Supervalue Rathgar, Insomnia and Tesco. We had lots of fun and danced off all the extra-but-worth-it-calories on the dancefloor with funky DJ Kelly in da house!
Thanks to everyone for their support, kindness and solidarity. We have got here because of your help over the years.
Our Birthday Cake Wishes: core funding for another ten years!
Amazing day? Yes, definitely!
