Lifestyle Ireland: €85,000 Fund Backs Youth Mental Health Projects Nationwide

On a beach in Rossnowlagh, a group of young people can find connection through the sea, while elsewhere in Ireland, creative workshops, practical advice and trusted community support are helping young people feel less alone. This is lifestyle Ireland at its most meaningful: wellbeing shaped not only by personal habits, but by access to local services and supportive communities.

Vhi and the Irish Youth Foundation have announced €85,000 in grants for nine youth organisations and community groups across the country. The projects are expected to support more than 1,200 young people with resilience-building, anxiety management and access to mental health supports.

What the Vhi Health & Wellbeing Fund will support

The latest awards bring Vhi’s total investment through the fund to €529,000 since it began in 2020. Across six years, 63 organisations and projects have received support, reaching almost 39,000 young people through early intervention, prevention and emotional wellbeing programmes.

The 2026 recipients work in Dublin, Cork, Kilkenny, Galway, Limerick and Donegal. Their programmes are designed for young people facing a wide range of circumstances, including disability, addiction, housing insecurity, social disadvantage, anxiety and the challenges experienced by refugees and people seeking international protection.

Several projects demonstrate how Ireland wellness initiatives can be practical, inclusive and rooted in everyday life:

• Liquid Therapy in Donegal will deliver “A Day In The Ocean”, combining surfing, structured workshops and ocean-based activities. Developed with surfing practitioners, psychologists and psychotherapists, the programme aims to build confidence, social connection and positive wellbeing among young people who may not feel comfortable in mainstream sport.
• The Hygiene Hub will expand education and outreach for people aged 12 to 25 experiencing hygiene poverty. Alongside essential products, workshops will explore confidence, social isolation, school attendance, self-care and anxiety management.
• The Crann Centre in Cork will provide expressive arts workshops for young people with neuro-physical disabilities. Art, music and meditation will support self-expression, confidence and social connection.
• Galway Simon Community will offer targeted help for young people experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity, focusing on resilience, confidence and practical skills.

Other funded organisations include Southhill Hub in Limerick, Mental Health Ireland projects in Galway, Kilkenny and Donegal, Aiséirí in Kilkenny, the Irish Refugee Council in Dublin and Poppintree Youth Project in Dublin.

Why community support matters for Ireland mental health

Good ireland mental health support is not always found in a clinical setting. For many young people, the first helpful conversation may happen through a youth worker, coach, community organiser or creative facilitator. Accessible local programmes can make it easier to recognise anxiety, build healthy habits and seek further assistance before difficulties become overwhelming.

That community approach also reflects wider ireland wellbeing priorities. Outdoor activity, creative expression, social inclusion and practical support can all contribute to emotional wellbeing, particularly when programmes are designed around the needs of the people taking part.

For families looking for reliable information, the latest Ireland health and wellbeing news can provide a useful starting point, alongside guidance from qualified health professionals and established support organisations.

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What the funding says about Ireland’s wellness culture

The projects supported by this fund broaden the meaning of ireland wellness. It is not limited to gym routines, skincare, nutrition or spa retreats. Ireland wellness can also mean having somewhere safe to go, receiving basic hygiene supplies, finding confidence through surfing, or taking part in art and music without fear of judgement.

That wider view is important as young people manage pressure connected with education, housing, social isolation and uncertainty. The most effective ireland wellness tips are often simple but not always easy to access: regular movement, supportive relationships, time outdoors, adequate sleep, honest conversations and professional help when needed.

Vhi Group CEO Brian Walsh said investment in young people’s health and wellbeing was a meaningful contribution to healthier communities. Irish Youth Foundation Interim CEO Živa Newman highlighted the creativity and compassion of the organisations involved, pointing to outdoor programmes, creative arts, wellbeing education and social inclusion work.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding was awarded?

Nine youth organisations and community groups received grants totalling €85,000 through the 2026 Vhi Health & Wellbeing Fund.

Who will benefit from the projects?

More than 1,200 young people are expected to benefit, including people experiencing anxiety, disability, addiction, housing insecurity, social disadvantage and displacement.

What kinds of activities are included?

The funded work includes surfing and ocean activities, creative arts, music, meditation, hygiene education, outreach and practical support for young people facing homelessness or housing insecurity.

Where can young people seek help?

Anyone worried about their mental health should consider speaking with a GP, a qualified counsellor, a trusted adult or a recognised support service. In an emergency, contact emergency services directly.

The central lesson from these awards is clear: ireland wellness grows when support is local, welcoming and designed around real lives. By investing in community organisations, the Vhi fund is helping young people build confidence, relationships and coping skills that can last well beyond a single programme. That is the most valuable kind of lifestyle Ireland story—one that shows wellbeing is something communities can build together.