Year in Review 2024

As a social enterprise, we are dedicated to creating positive change. All income from our workspace and meeting space rentals is reinvested into our community programmes, services, and facilities. From new milestones to impactful collaborations, it’s been a year of growth, innovation, and community. Join us as we reflect on the highlights and successes that made this year so memorable.

A Hub for Collaboration

Our centre buzzed with activity throughout the year as footfall reached 25,881 visits. We hosted 200 meeting space bookings and 76 hot desk bookings, highlighting our vital role as a thriving hub for businesses and freelancers. We’re especially proud to support our community by offering affordable meeting spaces to groups like St Michael’s House and Foróige Youth Services, helping them deliver invaluable services that make a real difference locally.

Supporting Local Businesses

We were thrilled to welcome 7 new businesses to our growing community, providing them with affordable office space and coworking facilities to support their journey toward success. We remain committed to fostering a supportive environment for all of our 28 business members, including our long-standing members who continue to grow with us.

Improving Digital Skills & Combatting Social Exclusion

Our Digital & Social Programme delivered 373 courses, workshops, and 1-to-1 sessions, empowering older people to enhance their digital skills while fostering connections through social activities. We were delighted to welcome 983 participants, providing opportunities to enhance digital literacy through informal learning and create meaningful social activities, trips and events. The digital skills sessions were well attended, with a particular enthusiasm for our new Digi Steady Go course and various digital workshops, which provided valuable and practical learning experiences. The social activities were a great success, offering participants a chance to engage, connect, and enjoy a range of experiences such as History, Irish, Card-Making and Art. This year, various trips and events were organised that were highly appreciated, culminating in a well-attended and festive Christmas lunch to close the year on a high note.

Empowering Employment and Development

We were delighted to welcome 9 participants from the Tús initiative to our staff team, a community work placement scheme providing opportunities for unemployed people. We’re incredibly proud that two participants have now become valued members of our employed staff team!

Championing Inclusion

We were honoured to attend the launch of Involve Autism's Autism Friendly Terenure in November, and are thrilled to be involved in this important initiative. It’s a privilege to be part of the movement to make Dublin a more inclusive city for people with autism. We’re committed to creating a more supportive environment for both autistic children and adults in our centre. A huge thank you to Miriam Kenny and everyone involved for their dedication, guidance, and vision. We look forward to continuing our collaboration, working together to make our centre more inclusive and to help the Terenure community make a lasting, positive impact.

A Year of Connection & Collaboration

Our team attended several conferences and events this year, including the Connected Hubs National Conference and the National Social Enterprise Conference. These events were filled with inspiring discussions, innovative ideas, and valuable networking opportunities that reinforced our commitment to what we do. In addition, we had the privilege of attending Pobal's Active Retirement event, where we delivered a presentation on our Digital & Social Programme. It was a fantastic chance to share our experiences and learn from others working in and supporting communities across Ireland.

Driving Climate Action

With support from the Government’s Climate Action Fund we are implementing key sustainability initiatives, including solar panels to power our centre with renewable energy, a covered bike shelter and repair station to encourage eco-friendly commuting, and energy-efficient LED lighting throughout the building, reducing energy use by 40%. Huge thanks to Dublin City Council and the Department of Environment, Climate & Communications for empowering social enterprises like ours to drive meaningful climate action and create a greener future!

Driving Innovation Through the SERI AI Social Enterprise Network

We were delighted to be part of the SERI AI Social Enterprise Network, an initiative that fosters collaboration and innovation among social enterprises leveraging AI for positive impact. This network aligns perfectly with our mission, providing valuable insights, resources, and connections to enhance our work. By engaging with the network, we can explore new ways to integrate AI into our operations, amplifying the benefits we bring to our community and driving sustainable development in our initiatives.

A New Chapter

This year, we bid two heartfelt farewells. After many years of dedicated service as Chairperson, Edie Wynne stepped down, and we extend our gratitude for her commitment to our centre. We also wish to thank Liz Phelan for her contributions during her tenure on the board. We are delighted to welcome Ian Martin as our new Chairperson. With Ian’s vision, we are excited about the opportunities ahead and the continued growth of our centre.

40 Years of Terenure Enterprise Centre

Last, but not least, we celebrated 40 years of Terenure Enterprise Centre with a special event in September! We are beyond grateful to everyone who joined us for the occasion – your support, energy, and presence truly made the event unforgettable. From the inspiring speeches to the laughter shared throughout the day, it was a celebration filled with joy and connection. As we look ahead, we remain deeply thankful to everyone who has been part of our journey over the past 40 years.

As we reflect on the past year, we want to extend a huge thanks to our dedicated team whose hard work, passion, and commitment have been the driving force behind everything we do. Their efforts continue to make a lasting impact. Looking ahead to 2025, we’re excited about the new opportunities and possibilities that await!