Deirdre Connolly is a Professor of Occupational Therapy at the School of Medicine, Trinity College, Dublin. She is also a researcher in social prescribing, evaluating the impact of social prescribing on the health and well-being of individuals with chronic diseases, multimorbidity, and people living with and beyond cancer.

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Email: connoldm@tcd.ie

Rita Bevan is the Regional Coordinator for 10 Social Prescribing sites across the Cork & Kerry Region and is responsible for overseeing the development, growth, and sustainability of the Health & Wellbeing Community Referral Project. Rita offers support to the Managers and Social Prescribing Link Workers and supports Link Workers in building a broad support network to grow referral pathways that promote the development of an integrated collaborative approach with agencies, groups and service providers at a local level.  She further works in partnership with these 10 sites and the UCC Research department to evidence the Social Prescribing programme.

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Email: ritabevan@familyresource.ie

Declan is a lecturer of musculoskeletal physiotherapy on the MSc Physiotherapy program in the School of Clinical Therapies, University College Cork. He is currently undertaking a PhD on the role of social prescribing in the management of long-term musculoskeletal conditions under the supervision of Dr Joseph McVeigh, Dr Janas Harrington, University College Cork and Professor Lindsay Bearne, St George’s University, London.

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Email: declan.osullivan@ucc.ie 

A native of Co.Cork, Seán has extensive experience in community development and has applied its principles in a meaningful and sustainable way to enhance communities both nationally and internationally over the past 25 years. A Maynooth Alumni (National University of Ireland) he has previously worked in a host of diverse communities across Ireland and for a period in Lagos, Nigeria. Seán currently sits on the Board of Directors of the FRC National Forum and on CYPSC Cork. He remains passionate and driven on social issues, including Justice, equality and human rights. He believes strongly in creating a sustainable future for every member of society and for societies as a whole, through co-operation, consultation and collaboration.

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Email: manager@midletonfrc.com

Dr Margaret Lawler is an Assistant Professor of Psychology in Trinity College Dublin, and a Charted Health Psychologist of the Psychological Society of Ireland. Her research focuses on young people’s health, wellbeing, and behaviour change. She is currently undertaking research exploring the suitability and acceptability of social prescribing for adolescents and young adults with chronic diseases.

Email: lawlerm1@tcd.ie

Helen Smith works with Access Elemental, a leading social prescribing software platform that supports health and social care professionals, community development workers, and frontline services to better respond to non-clinical and social needs within communities. Access Elemental seeks to strengthen referral pathways, improve service coordination, and help organisations measure impact and return on investment, ensuring individuals are empowered to access local supports that enhance their health, wellbeing, and quality of life.

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Email: Helen.Smith@theaccessgroup.com

Bio Update coming soon!

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Email: Annemarie.Crosse@hse.ie

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Tony is the Regional Coordinator with the Healthy Living Centre Alliance, a network of health and well-being organisations in the north. He Chairs the Northwest Integrated Care Partnership and, as such, has been involved in a number of NI Government Workstreams i.e. Expanding Community Development Practice and the new Integrated Care Service. A published writer of memoirs, Tony is Chair of the Bloody Sunday Trust in Derry and is a Member of the NI National Lottery Community Fund.

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Email: tony@hlcalliance.org

Lorna O’Neill is the PEACEPLUS Adult Social Prescribing Lead with Causeway Rural and Urban Network (CRUN), based in Coleraine, where she coordinates the delivery of the ‘Engaged’ project in partnership with the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). Through this programme, Lorna supports individuals across the Causeway Coast & Glens area to build confidence, resilience, and social connections, promoting positive wellbeing and renewed ownership of personal health goals through inclusive, community-based activities and learning opportunities.

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Email: lorna@crun.org

Babs Leonard is a highly experienced professional with over 20 years’ experience in the not-for-profit sector, specialising in organisational and personal wellbeing, programme management, policy development, and the delivery of effective support systems across homelessness, addiction, family support, and youth services. A qualified Meditation Teacher, Babs works with statutory bodies, and charities, bringing strong leadership, stakeholder engagement, financial management, and a deep commitment to best practice, safeguarding, and continuous professional development.

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Email: bleonard@empower.ie   

Eoin McCafferty is a Sláintecare Healthy Communities Administrator with the HSE South East, bringing over 15 years of experience working across diverse sectors and within a wide range of communities. He supports individuals and organisations to achieve their wellbeing goals through strong administration, excellent communications skills, project coordination and event management, alongside a lifelong commitment to sport, teamwork, and community participation.

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Email: eoin.mccafferty@hse.ie

Dr David Robinson is a consultant physician in geriatric medicine at St James' Hospital and a senior clinical lecturer at Trinity College, Dublin. He helped create the Local Asset Mapping Project (LAMP), a community-generated online directory of services to improve health and wellbeing through social prescribing.

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Email: davidjamesrobinson@me.com

Bio update coming soon!

 

Email: Emma.Maguire3@hse.ie