Founder of Limerick mental health organisation steps down
THE FOUNDER of a non-profit organisation that advocates for mental health wellness has stepped down after helping Limerick community for years.
The Haven Hub announced that its founder and chairperson, Leona O’Callaghan has resigned after selflessly dedicating her time, skill and experience to the community in Limerick and beyond.
While focusing on her goal of providing late night support and other services for people, Leona put her own career and other commitments aside. As a founder, director and volunteer, her role within the Haven Hub has been more than a full-time job.
Since its founding in 2019, The Haven Hub has delivered over 220 courses and has been involved in over 580 interventions at their drop-in centres across the Midwest, many of which Leona has been directly involved with.
Under her leadership, the non-profit organisation extended their services to people who struggle to cope in daily life, including through drop-in centres and mental health courses, suicide prevention training, support and walking groups as well as other supportive activities to people in Ennis, Mitchelstown and Waterford.
The Haven Hub has also secured its forever home and gained charitable status during that time, all of which has been personally driven and overseen by Leona.
Now, Leona has decided to return to her career and focus on other commitments.
Leona said: “I feel so proud and so honoured to have met some of the most amazing people on my Haven Hub journey, that have helped me to create a much-needed support for those most vulnerable.
“While at times I might have been the face of The Haven Hub, there were many people, directors, volunteers, and supporters that were the backbone of the organisation. The dark times in my own life had a purpose by driving me to create this safe place for people that got to a place of hopelessness in life, for them to get compassion, care and understanding when they can’t have that for themselves.”
Even though she’ll be returning to full-time work, Leona will continue to help The Haven.
“I’ll also be staying in touch with the amazing people I’ve met who I’m lucky enough to call my friends. The new board of Directors is exactly what The Haven Hub now needs, as each of them bring strengths and personalities that will grow The Haven Hub in the right direction. I’m extremely grateful to everyone that supported our journey and especially my 3 children who supported me and were understanding of how important The Haven Hub has been in my life for the past 4 years. Limerick & Clare’s best assets are their people, one thing I know for sure is that the people I leave The Haven in the care of are the best people I know,” she concluded.