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SECAD’s Community Wellbeing programme

September 18, 2025

Danielle Sheehy standing in front of a colourful community art wall created by Ukrainian residents in Trabolgan displayed at the Midleton Arts Festival.
A combination of images and text: a logo of the government of ireland, the eu flag with text co-funded by the european union, the, sicap (social inclusion and community activation programme) logo and text "the social inclusion and community activation programme (sicap) is co-funded by the irish government, through the department of rural and community development and the gaeltacht, and the european union through the european social fund plus under the employment, inclusion, skills and training (eist) programme 2021 - 2027"

Fostering integration through arts & wellbeing activities

Supported through SICAP

SECAD’s Community Wellbeing programme supports wellness and integration across the region using the medium of arts, nature and biodiversity. Through these creative workshops, participants build confidence, explore new interests, and form meaningful connections.

This approach also helps to integrate new community members by creating linkages in positive settings. One example is the vibrant art wall created by Ukrainian residents in Trabolgan, which was showcased at the Midleton Arts Festival. Other cultural projects are also being developed with links to the Crawford Art Gallery in Cork.

SECAD also organised a series of nature walks to bring people together and help them discover more about the local area.

A group of people walking through a forest during a secad-organised nature walk.
Participants of the SECAD Wellbeing Programme enjoying a forest nature walk.

These are just a few highlights from a wide range of activities designed to inspire
wellbeing, foster community links, and celebrate shared experiences.

In 2025, SECAD Partnership launched the Community Connections initiative to support community resilience against misinformation and promote positive attitudes towards newcomers. Together, these initiatives encourage inclusion and strengthen community
cohesion, making Millstreet a welcoming place for all.

SECAD Partnership promotes social inclusion, supporting isolated and vulnerable community members through personal development, capacity-building, and integration initiatives – 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.

Secad 30 years logo yellow - secad partnership clg
A combination of images and text: a logo of the government of ireland, the eu flag with text co-funded by the european union, the, sicap (social inclusion and community activation programme) logo and text "the social inclusion and community activation programme (sicap) is co-funded by the irish government, through the department of rural and community development and the gaeltacht, and the european union through the european social fund plus under the employment, inclusion, skills and training (eist) programme 2021 - 2027"

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