09/05/2026
Over the past 12 weeks, we have been incredibly fortunate to work alongside our community partner UL Engage
Six senior students participating in the CWELL Programme alongside their lecturers, supported our vision of creating meaningful supported paid employment opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities.
From our initial consultation in December 2025, the students came prepared with thoughtful and detailed questions to better understand our project. Their strong communication and professionalism helped build trust, connection, and genuine collaboration from the very beginning.
In January 2026, the students presented a range of support options they believed would benefit both our organisation and our participants. Following discussions at board level, we agreed to move forward with a Stakeholder Consultation, which took place in March 2026 at the Absolute Hotel Limerick
The room was filled with almost 70 stakeholders, including participants, parents/guardians, future participants, disability services, supported employment organisations, funders, special schools, customers, employees, and board members.
Each stakeholder group responded to carefully designed questions developed by the CWell students. These discussions contributed to the Stakeholder Voice Report — a much-needed document that will help create meaningful change for both our current and future participants.
This week, we celebrated the successful completion of the Rising Together Programme’s Stakeholder Voice Report at the Limerick Strand Hotel We listened as the students presented their findings to another full room of attendees in what was a truly inspiring and uplifting morning for everyone involved.
Rising Together — creating real-world learning pathways for inclusive supported employment success.
This experience continues to show that when society focuses on ability rather than limitation, we empower individuals with intellectual disabilities to thrive, contribute, and succeed.
A sincere thank you to everyone involved for your commitment, passion, and belief in inclusion and opportunity for all.
