Green Gown Awards
UCD in the Community is delighted to announce that Hope Fest, UCD’s wellness and music event for those experiencing homelessness, was selected as a finalist in the UK and Ireland’s Green Gown Awards 2020, under the ‘Benefitting Society’ category.
“This year’s UK and Ireland Green Gown Awards’ Finalists, representing 45 institutions, are leading the way with their commitment to the global sustainability agenda and proving the value that universities and colleges bring to the economy and society. The Finalists emphasise an institution’s role in enabling and empowering young people to tackle pressing global issues to ensure they have a better tomorrow.” (Green Gown Awards website)
The Green Gown Awards ceremony took place online on Wednesday 24 March 2021, and Hope Fest was honoured to be a finalist in such a prestigious event. The University of Nottingham took home the top prize in the Benefitting Society category with their project (opens in a new window)‘Vets in the Community - Pets need vets’.
You can view the full list of Finalists on the Green Gown (opens in a new window)website and you can view a video about Hope Fest on our YouTube channel (opens in a new window)here.
Hope Fest is an annual wellness and music event for those experiencing homelessness in Dublin City, the first of its kind in Ireland. It is a collaboration between two community organisations, the Dublin Lions Club and Dublin Simon Community, and staff and students from University College Dublin (UCD).
Hope Fest began in May 2018 after the need was identified for a summer event for clients of Dublin’s homeless services. This event would not only offer a hot meal, but would also provide wellness services, music, entertainment, and a welcomed break from the norm. Chiropody, hairdressing, mindfulness, massage, and beauty therapy were all part of the services offered, while musicians provided entertainment and guests were provided with a hot meal.
This event challenges the stigma associated with homelessness and looks at how the isolation and loneliness that is experienced by the homeless community can be addressed through collaboration, integration, and community spirit.