Innovative supports for young people through adventure therapy
Supported through the SICAP and LEADER programmes, and the NTR Community Benefit Fund
Active Connections CLG was founded in 2012 by James Bruton, John Paul O’Neill, and Raymond Burke with a clear mission: “Transform Lives Through Adventure.” The founders, who met while working in residential care, saw too many young people slipping through the cracks of the system. They believed the problem was not the young people, but the lack of effective support.
From the beginning, Active Connections focused on outdoor-based therapeutic services, using the power of nature and adventure to help people overcome adversity. The first programme, New Trails, launched in 2012, followed in 2015 by Breakaway, an overnight adventure respite service for young people and their families during times of pressure.
The organisation has continued to grow and innovate. In 2018, it introduced Ember Camp, opening its services to children with disabilities. Today, Ember Camp accounts for a third of Active Connections’ direct work. More recently, in 2022, the Respond out-of-hours service was launched, providing emergency overnight and weekend support to young people in crisis.
Active Connections has been recognised nationally for its impact, winning awards from Social Entrepreneurs Ireland (2014) and Rethink Ireland (2019, 2023).
SECAD Partnership has supported Active Connections at every step, helping complete the Social Enterprise Development programme at DCU’s Innovation Hub, secure SICAP funding for essential tech, and obtain LEADER funding for watersports equipment. Most recently, funding from the NTR Community Benefit Fund helped expand outdoor gear and supported Ember Camp for young people with disabilities or neurodiverse needs. We’re proud to help Active Connections bring life-changing, nature-based therapy to more young people across Ireland.
Visit the Active Connections website to learn more about the activities and services they offer for young people and the communities they support.
Over the past 30 years, SECAD Partnership has supported more than 500 community infrastructure, building, and amenity projects, providing guidance and grant aid of up to €500,000. Each has made a difference locally – this is one such story.
Discover more stories highlighting SECAD’s 30-year journey in promoting rural development and social inclusion in East, South, and West Cork and across the island of Ireland since 1995.
