Funding award for Tallaght unemployed mens project

A PILOT project that was launched in Tallaght four years ago to help unemployed men in distress has been awarded €30,000 worth of development funding.

The Mojo Programme was founded in 2011 to promote interagency work with this particularly vulnerable group.

The 12-week programme helps men to create positive futures for themselves and their families.

It supports them as they build their resilience, develop life plans, increase physical and mental fitness and develop social skills.

Run as a pilot project, it has produced excellent results.

A total of 81 per cent of the men attending Mojo reported a reduction in depression and anxiety along with significant reductions in isolation, alcohol use, self-harm and suicidal ideation.

And just as impressively, 70 per cent of participants return to work, volunteering or progress on to another service after completing the programme.

Due to its success Mojo is being extended to Kildare and initial work has also begun to establish a Mojo Programme in Dublin North West. Now it has secured €30,000 worth of development funding from Social Entrepreneurs Ireland (SEI) as part of the 2015 ‘Elevator Award’ programme.

Derek McDonnell, the director, who has been working in community development nationally and internationally for almost 20 years, said the secret to Mojo’s success is the men increasing their ability to make connections and in turn offering each other support. 

“Even after a few weeks on our training programme we see a huge change in the men which really inspires me and gets me out of bed in the morning,” said Derek.

“Securing this funding from Social Entrepreneurs Ireland is a great endorsement for the programme but more importantly, it means we can extend the success of the service to other areas and continue to make a real difference to more men, their families, friends and wider communities.”

Darren Ryan, the CEO of Social Entrepreneurs Ireland, said each selected participant of their awards programme offers a pioneering solution to some of the most pressing issues and problems facing Irish society today.

“With the ongoing support of DCC plc, we are delighted to continue to work with innovative and dynamic individuals like Derek of the Mojo Programme who are making a powerful difference to the lives of people in Ireland every day,” he said.

Men are referred to Mojo by many services including GPs, the mental health services, the primary care team, welfare services and self-referrals.

A unique aspect of Mojo is that the men are equal partners in its development. Changes are made to each training programme based on participant feedback.