THE FOUNDER of a Limerick mental health support group has announced that she is stepping down.
Founder and chairperson of the Haven Hub, Leona O’Callaghan, announced her resignation from the local group, who was recently given a base of operations by Limerick City and County Council.
Ms O’Callaghan said she is “excited to move on to a new chapter by returning to full time work, but I will continue to help the Haven Hub until their name is over the doors of their forever home and until the new trainers are in place for the courses they provide.”
A spokesperson said that Ms O’Callaghan “has selflessly dedicated her time, skill, and experience to the community in Limerick and beyond. This has meant that Leona put her own career and other commitments aside, while focusing on her goal of providing late night support and other services for people, which as she knew from her own life experience was desperately needed.”
“As a founder, director, and volunteer, her role within the Haven Hub has been more than a full-time job. The Haven Hub has delivered over 220 courses and been involved in over 580 interventions at our drop-in centres across the Mid West, many of which Leona has been directly involved.”
“Under her leadership, we have expanded our services to include drop-in centres and delivering mental health courses, suicide prevention training, support and walking groups, and other supportive activities to people in Ennis, Mitchelstown, and Waterford, to people who struggle to cope in daily life.”
Ms O’Callaghan added: “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.”
“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 three children who supported me”.
