PPN staff and member groups attended the SICAP Conference in Athlone yesterday (02 October 2025), called “In Our Words”, which was inspiring, hopeful and moving. Held in the Radisson Blu Hotel, the gathering brought together around 250 delegates, from Local Development Companies, city and county councils and community and voluntary organisations involved in social inclusion work, throughout the country.
The conference was formally opened by Minister of State, Jerry Buttimer, who said he looked forward to hearing the real stories, from the real people, who had experienced the impact of the SICAP programme. He said that while policies matter, lived experiences were central.
A highlight of the event was the keynote by Dr Niamh Sheridan, Director of the Togher Family Centre in Cork. With over three decades of experience in community development, she spoke powerfully about the importance of trust, resilience, and sustained investment in people. Her words underlined the idea that inclusion is not achieved overnight but built carefully over time through relationships and respect. Many delegates said her reflections grounded the day in both realism and hope, offering a vision of how communities can flourish, when given the right support.
Much of the day was devoted to personal testimonies from individuals whose lives have been touched by SICAP supports. These stories cut across many challenges such as, long-term unemployment, social isolation, educational barriers, addiction issues, criminal activities and multiple forms of complex disadvantages. Hearing people speak frankly, with dignity, about the obstacles they’ve faced and the turning points they have reached, resonated with the delegates.
One of the most striking aspects was the interplay between vulnerability and agency in the testimonies. Participants didn’t simply recount hardships; they spoke of moments of empowerment, of taking ownership over their futures, of support systems (mentors, training, community networks) that made the difference. In that sense, the conference wasn’t just celebrating what has been done, but signalling what is possible, when supports and trust converge.
It was heartening to see familiar faces from Dublin City PPN member groups represented at the conference. Evanne Kilmurray from Inner City Enterprise (ICE) was there to support the brilliant work of Connections Arts Centre, and Ballymun Hair Together, which shows how local initiatives carry the spirit of SICAP into Dublin’s communities every day. It was also heartening to see the photography exhibition from our colleagues at Northwest Partnership, called, “Who are we now?” which is an exhibition to mark the first anniversary of the riots outside the Crown Paints factory in Coolock.
Over the day, Minister Buttimer also addressed the wider issues of justice, and said he abhorred what had recently happened to Clare PPN Coordinator, Sarah Clancy, who was removed from the international flotilla, while trying to deliver humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, just prior to the conference. His words connected the personal testimonies of the day, to the broader struggle for dignity and fairness worldwide.
Minister Buttimer closed the event by thanking everyone involved, and especially those who had shared their stories. The day ended with songs from the Chorus Connection Community Choir, from Offaly, who performed a medley of songs, reminding the delegates that social inclusion is not only about policy, but it is about connection, expression and belonging. Many congratulations to the organisers of such a lovely event, the speakers, and everyone involved in the incredible work of SICAP.
