The work of Jess Angland, CEO at Slí Eile, the mental health recovery charity based at Churchtown was recognized at The Cork County Community Mayors Awards recently. Nominated by Cllr Ian Doyle, Jess was nominated for her work spearheading the daily operations and development of Ireland’s only mental health recovery care farm, leading a staff of eighteen and twenty-five registered volunteers. The charity provides residential support to people recovering from mental health challenges, provides them with structured purpose activities through their social enterprises and ensures they have on-site support from the dedicated staff. It operates an award-winning organic farm at Burton Park, Churchtown as well as a bakery in Charleville which supplies local shops, a thriving popular vintage shop in Charleville and ever popular Farm and community seasonal market at Burton Park. As well as overseeing the social enterprises, Jess is responsible for ensuring all residents at Slí Eile are supported in their recovery, have care plans in place and their care is aligned with best practice in the sector. Jess was nominated in the Cork County Council North Division Individual award category.
The Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Mary Linehan Foley said of this year’s awards “The dedication shown by volunteers and community leaders across County Cork to improving their local areas is truly unmatched. Their resilience, generosity and unwavering community spirit continue to inspire us all, and these awards exist to celebrate their remarkable contributions. The calibre of this year’s nominees was exceptionally high, reflecting the extraordinary work taking place in towns and villages throughout the county. While these awards are only a small gesture, they represent our deep appreciation for the immeasurable impact each nominee has made in strengthening their community.”
Supported by the HSE, Slí Eile ensures that the care given to residents is meeting their needs, it has approved care plans and policies which support people and give residence the best possible chance to recover and lead less challenging, meaningful lives after their time at Slí Eile.
The Mayor’s Community Awards were held at the Cork County Hall recently, people from all areas of community and voluntary life were nominated for their amazing work which benefits communities, the environment and people. Jess was nominated in the Individual award category in the Cork County region, her nomination read: “Over the past five years, under Chief Operations Officer Jess Angland, Slí Eile has become Ireland’s only residential mental health care farm. She has overseen major cultural and operational change, expanding the organization, managing staff and volunteers who an organic farm, bakery, vintage shop and weekly market. Her leadership has strengthened HSE partnerships and increased core funding for residents transitioning to independent living. Jess promotes inclusion through public events that help destigmatize mental health and she encourages continuous professional development in the organization. Through EU funded collaborations, her trauma-informed, person-centred approach has gained international links and national recognition”. The Awards were attended by Jess, Slí Eile Board Chair Billy Cotter, Board member Des Holton and Slí Eile staff member Eleanor Melicant.
Typically modest about her own role, Jess said “I am delighted to be nominated for an individual award; however Slí Eile is a community of people working together to support people with severe mental health issues to recover. The Staff, Board, Volunteers and our local community play an integral part in making Slí Eile a place for recovery”.
Des Holton, Board member at Slí Eile said “We’re thrilled with this nomination, it really recognizes the amazing work of Jess and highlights the importance of Slí Eile in meeting the needs of people with mental health challenges. Jess is a great leader, not only does she ensure people get great care at Slí Eile every day, but she also oversees the social enterprises and busy day to day operations at Burton Park. She is also passionate about what Slí Eile does, is popular with staff and volunteers and really wants to deliver on the vision of the Board and community. Slí Eile has developed greatly in recent years thanks to Jess, however, she ensures it hasn’t lost its vision for better choices for people facing mental health challenges, community, voluntarism and passionate staff are important to Jess and the Board. The nomination is well deserved.”
Slí Eile shared a table at the awards with Cllr Ian Doyle who nominated Jess and members of One Town One Voice Choir from Charleville who were nominated for a group award. It was great recognition of the work of Jess and the people who ensure Slí Eile continues to help people. Plans are in place for the return of the seasonal community market which will start again in a couple of months. The Vintage Shop is open on Main Street, Charleville, Cork.
We at the offices of the Vale Star and Weekly Observer congratulate Jess Angland for the well-deserved recognition of her amazing work. We wish the board, staff, residents, volunteers and Jess continued success.