Described by previous attendees as “a real tonic – a summer’s day in the heart of winter”, the Aisling Centre’s annual Hope, Healing and Growth event will once again inspire and encourage as it returns to kickstart the new year.

The sixth ‘Day of Inspiration’, which will follow the theme of ‘Hope for the Future’, will take place at The Crest Centre, South West College, Killyhevlin, Enniskillen as an in-person and virtual event running from 10am to 3pm on Saturday, January 7, 2023.

Hosted by the Aisling Centre – a charitable organisation based in Enniskillen which supports positive mental health in a safe, welcoming and confidential space – the event will feature an array of inspirational speakers who will share their personal stories and lessons of hope.

Last year’s event reached more than 400 people digitally, with overwhelmingly positive feedback and a record amount of donations to support the vital counselling work of the centre.

Alison Annan, Chair of the Board of Aisling Centre, said: “We are all concerned about what 2023 will bring, not least the pressures from the cost-of-living crisis, climate change, health issues, general uncertainty and for the range of challenges people face coping with the stresses of daily living.

“This is why the Aisling Centre provides such a vital service supporting people to cope positively and keep well.

“The Hope, Healing and Growth event is designed to support positive mental health and wellbeing and helps us to reach out to many more people, and support them in their life journey, building on the vital work we do in the community,” she said.

Alison continued: “Last year, when demand for our services was unprecedented, more than 93.5 per cent of our service users said they felt more positive about the future.

Wellbeing services

“In 2023 we aim to provide more than 5,500 counselling sessions and associated wellbeing services. This event gives us a great incentive for another vital year’s work.”

Opening the event is Adrian Dunbar, well-known local actor, who has been Patron and supporter of the work of the centre for the past six years and has been closely involved with this event. He will introduce this year’s theme of Hope for the Future.

The opening address is by Shane Martin, who is a well-known psychologist dedicated to teaching the best evidence-based psychology to help people protect their mental health and enhance the quality of their lives.

His theme of ‘Your precious Life – how to live it well’ sets the scene for the rest of the day, with practical advice for everyone to build on.

Shane’s session is followed by Noelle McAlinden, a founding member of the Hope, Healing and Growth event, who will host a panel session on ‘There is Hope after’. She will introduce three inspirational speakers who will share their respective stories on how their lives changed and the lessons they wish to share with others.

The panel comprises Emma Spence, who comes from a proud farming family and faced tragedy when she lost her father, Noel, and brothers Nevin and Graham 10 years ago in a slurry tank accident; former local teacher Connor McBarron will share his experience of having to manage and live with the new “physical wreckage” left after having had cancer; and Una Leonard, from Omagh, co-founder of a perinatal mental health charity called ‘Support2gether’, which she formed 13 years ago with her sister, will outline how to help others coping with postnatal depression.

As a fresh perspective to start the afternoon session, young people attending the FIND Centre based in Enniskillen have created a short film, entitled ‘Creating Hope Through Action’, in which they poignantly address the issue of suicide prevention and present the impact of the mental health issues they can face.

Building on the theme of what the future holds for all of us, but especially for young people, one of the most pressing issues is the impact of climate change.

Lorna Gold, recently recognised as one of the top 20 climate influencers in Ireland, is a social scientist and climate activist who has become known as an outspoken critic of inaction on climate change, and an advocate for just solutions.

Her theme, ‘Climate Generation – Awakening to Our Children’s Future’ looks at the necessity of changing environmental policy and what the consequences are if we do not act immediately.

Another speaker, Richard Moore, founder and Chief Executive of Children in Crossfire – which works in partnership with organisations in Tanzania and Ethiopia to address the developmental needs of young children caught up poverty, and provides global citizenship education in the UK and Ireland to introduce people to the structural causes of poverty – will share his story of how triumph overcomes tragedy.

As a young boy, he had a tragic experience which resulted in his life changing forever. However, he did not allow this experience to hold him back and has gone on to live an inspiring and fruitful life.

He has been recognised globally for his charity work, with Children in Crossfire an example of overcoming adversity and creating positivity.

Bringing the day to a powerful conclusion, Janet Devlin, of X-Factor fame, explores her own story of alcoholism and its effects on her life and on others around her.

In an impactful documentary in 2022, ‘Young, Female and Addicted’, Janet gave voice to the stories of other young women suffering from the consequences of alcohol addiction in themselves or in members of their family.

Finally, Alison Annan will bring the day to a close on behalf of all at Aisling Centre.

Hope, Healing and Growth will again be a hybrid event to enable as many people as possible to attend either online or in person with a limited number of in-person tickets available.

Virtual attendance via Zoom online meeting format is free, although voluntary donations are welcome to support Aisling Centre services.

Tickets for both in-person and virtual attendance are available from Eventbrite, via https://tinyurl.com/28897tmy.