As of January 2022 the Young Knocknaheeny Area Based Childhood Programme is incorporated into a new organisation called Let’s Grow Together! Infant and Childhood Partnerships CLG.
Directors of the Board are:
Mr. Kevin Fitzgibbon (Chairperson)
Ms. Julie Helen (Secretary)
Dr. Cliodhna Foley-Nolan
Dr. Cathy Burke
Ms. Karen Houlihan
Ms. Niamh O’Connor
Ms. Noirin Russell
Mr. John Buckley
Kevin Fitzgibbon
Chairperson
Kevin has been a board member of Let's Grow Together! since April 2021, when he joined as Chair. He has long experience of the NGO sector, both as a frontline volunteer, and as a board member. He was a volunteer with Cork Simon for about 20 years in total, during which he was a board member for 12 years and Chair for 5 years. During his time on Cork Simon's board, Kevin was one of 2 members who led a complete governance review and redesign for the organisation. He has also served as a board member of the Simon Communities of Ireland, and was a founding board member of Galtan Housing Association. He has served on the board of Beaumont Girls' National School, and is a current board member of St. Francis Rochestown College. Kevin is currently the Manager of Halpin Research Centre at the National Maritime College of Ireland, MTU; and previously was the owner and MD of a consulting engineering practice for 13 years. He has a keen interest in renewable energy and sustainability, and was the co-founder of 2 windfarm companies that are now in commercial energy production. His favourite pastime is walking his dog.
Julie Helen
Secretary
Julie Helen is currently Company Secretary of Let’s Grow Together and has been a member of the board of directors since 2020. Julie is a journalist and communications specialist with 20 years of experience of working in disability advocacy in Cork. Julie is accomplished in making information accessible for everyone and has supported organisations to learn about making information accessible and facilitate the meaning participation of people with disabilities in all decisions that impact their lives. Julie is also a disability activist as she has a physical disability, Cerebral Palsy. Julie has particular experience in supporting people with intellectual disabilities to advocate for themselves through her human rights approach to all her work. Julie is married to David and they have a young son Ricky. Julie has previously served on the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and was a national facilitator on the HSE’s Transforming Lives Programme. Julie is passionate about the voices of minority groups being included in decision making and has been a long-time advocate for practical and effective participation in our communities.
Cliodhna Foley-Nolan
Dr Cliodhna Foley-Nolan is a Consultant in Public Health Medicine. She has worked as Director of Human Health and Nutrition at safefood (Food Safety Promotion Board) and as Specialist in Public Health Medicine in the Health Service Executive. She has served on a number of national advisory groups, including the National AIDS Advisory Group, as well as advisory groups on MRSA, immigrant health, food poverty, and antimicrobial resistance. She is currently a member of the Food Safety Authority Board and has served on the Boards of the Veterinary Council of Ireland; Special advisory Board on Obeisity; the Faculty of Public Health Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland and the HRB Centre for Health and Diet Research.
Cathy Burke
Cathy Burke is a consultant gynaecologist / obstetrician at Cork University Maternity Hospital. She has been a board member of LGT! since 2021 and is hugely impressed by the past and current achievements of the organisation. She has worked with humanitarian organisations in Africa and South America during her medical career. She is a strong advocate for sustainable healthcare, chairing the hospital Green Group and is also a committee member of Irish Doctors for the Environment.
Karen Houlihan
Karen Houlihan is a fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland. She is currently working as a Senior Manager in PricewaterhouseCoopers. Karen has a lenghty history of involvement in the not for profit sector. She previously volunteered as a Board Member and Finance Director for Starfish Greathearts Foundation, a charity that helps children made vulnerable by aids in Africa. Karen has also worked with the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind as the Head of Finance and Fundraising. Karen joined the board of let’s grow together in September 2022.
Niamh O'Connor
Niamh is a community representative who is raising her 2 daughters in the area. She has experienced being a parent in Australia and Ireland. Niamh has engaged in many aspects of the Let’s Grow Together programme as a parent as well as engaging in training to facilitated Peep groups with team members and has been an active member of the Parent’s Forum. Niamh is passionate about her community and a community based approach to improving expectations and outcomes for all children. She believes she can help Let’s Grow Together achieve this by bringing her determination to ensuring that model of Let’s Grow Together can reach more communities and have a longstanding place for future families to come. Supporting her community is important to Niamh and being on the board of Let’s Grow Together is just one way she does this. Niamh is currently training to become a Special Needs Assistant and has a varied background before this in banking & insurance and customer service management and would encourage anyone in their community that would like to see change to get involved.
Noirin Russsel
John Buckley
Directors’ Report & Financial Statement
External codes/guidelines that Let’s Grow Together Board of Directors are guided by:
