Campaigning & Activism Shortlist 2024

Patrick Bracken has been volunteering since he was just a kid! In 2014, he and his partner saw the lack of support groups and social outlets for the LGBTQ+ community so they created a social ‘drop-in’ group offering a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for people to meet on a monthly basis and then went on to cofound the first Pride organisation in Wicklow. As the political climate has changed, these spaces and celebrations are more important than ever and as a current chairperson for Wicklow, Pride he has worked to make the entire community a more diverse and welcoming place. More than 2,000 people attended last year’s Wicklow Pride and the organisation became a registered charity. His activism also extends to making sure that events and queer spaces also are accessible to people with disabilities so that their voices are heard and that they feel safe and welcome.  

“His smile, his warm personality, and his ability to bring people together and work successfully together under his leadership is a true gift and ability that cannot be learned, it’s just very natural for him” writes his nominator.  

For the last year, Latisha McCrudden and Emma Ward have been researching, recording and producing the podcast ‘Mincéirs; Paving the Way’ with spunout. The podcast aims to highlight the experiences and challenges faced by young Travellers in Ireland. They invite expert guests on to speak about issues like women’s rights and mental health and how they uniquely affect the Traveller Community. They also speak about their own experiences as a disabled person and a childhood domestic abuse survivor in hopes that others will feel less alone. Their powerful words shed light on the discrimination that Travellers face and their conversations aim to empower not just Travellers but people of any number of marginalised backgrounds. By breaking down stereotypes, sharing personal experiences, and championing leaders within the Traveller community, Emma and Latisha are growing and changing how young people see others. Latisha and Emma are both university students, studying Law and Journalism respectively.  

“Latisha and Emma aspire to be changemakers in society, but also with their families and friends, by leading these discussions and showcasing the amazing work being done by other members of the Traveller community” writes their nominator.

Leah Mooney created the Caring Hands Support Network when she saw the unmet needs of her community in Dublin and Wicklow. Their mission is to support and uplift individuals in need, providing them with essential resources and assistance to improve their lives and create a brighter future. She has an anonymous text service so people can ask for assistance, all of which is funded by donation. By creating safe and caring space for people in need to reach out, Leah has been able to provide support for vulnerable people, including those struggling with domestic violence or unstable housing situations. She even has teenagers reaching out to her to help their families. Protecting the dignity of people who have come upon hard times is so important to Leah and helps inspire empathy for those who might experience difficulties in the future. Caring Hands Support Network helps with food and other necessities, as well as funding for utilities so that no one is cold or hungry. Their Facebook page shares the glowing praise for Leah and the organisation and shares important information for service users. “They have made a huge impact on people’s lives!” writes her nominator.