Yvonne Hyland at Arc Agency

I am no different to many people when I say I want to ‘make a difference’. To make some positive imprint in the world around me. Whether that’s joining the local Tidy Towns, volountering for the local kids football team, or bringing groceries to an elderly neighbour or relative.

When I got involved in politics a number of years ago, I did so because I, like many others in the political system, wanted to make a difference.

By the time I left working in the political backrooms a few years ago, I am not sure how much I felt I had made a positive impact on things. Even though I know I did, and I knew for certain the people around me definitely did. But in politics there is so much other noise, it can dilute the good that gets done. And lots does get done. Despite the achievements, it was all that other noise that left me feeling a bit cynical and disillusioned.

I am back trying to ‘make that difference’ but it’s quieter this time. So it is much easier to feel connected to something bigger and something that is making a real difference to peoples lives. In fact, Tiglin, effectively save people’s lives. It can take from 18 months to a couple of years for the ‘recovery’ or transformation to happen fully but when it is completed, a life has been saved. Many of the people who have benefited from the Tiglin Programme say without it, they would be dead now.

“Service is not only about going to homeless shelters and food banks but it is about offering whatever special skills and talents and passions we have to those that need it.” (Adrianna Huffington – Huffington Post). My skills are in Communications. So I am helping Tiglin out the best way I can, by helping with Communications and helping raise their profile and ultimately helping to raise more funds.

Tiglin needs money to run the prorgamme on a day–to day basis, but there is a major need to try and help more people then they currently do. There are always long waiting lists which is frustrating when there is physical capacity for an additional 10 beds, but without the necessary finance the beds cannot be provided. I have met a few of the men who are on the waiting list. They are literally desperate. One man, Stephen has lost everyone he loves through drugs and can not believe he is still alive. When I met him he told me his life story, which is horrific. During the conversation, I asked him if he was high and he said he was. I thought it was strange that he was trying to get on the programme while obviously taking drugs. He told me that he can’t function without something and he wouldn’t have been able to come down to the No Bucks Café (Tiglin’s homeless outreach service) because taking drugs for him, helped normalise his body and mind. Tiglin, he said is his last chance. He is still on the waiting list. I want to try and help him, and others like him.

Last night, I received a surprising award recognizing my work with Tiglin from Network Ireland Wicklow. It felt very humbling receiving it because I do very little compared to all the work that the staff in Tiglin, and others services like it, do. All the same it was very nice indeed, and a great honour. Network Ireland Wicklow has given me a lot of support over the last few months, and I have met some pretty impressive Business Women who are very willing to take time out and help each other. And what goes on in the Wicklow Branch is replicated all over the country with 700 women from business, the service industry, the professions and arts & culture who are active members of the Network.

It is always nice when someone says thank you or recognises the work you are doing, and for that, I say Thank You Network Ireland. Yvonne Hyland xx