Galway native aims to use foundation of friendship to help in time of need

Many’s the good idea is conceived sitting around the kitchen table. But most remain just that – ideas never realised.

One man, however – who came up with an idea on how to help a friend in need – was determined to do something so that other people who faced similar obstacles could get the help they needed to get on with their lives.

‘Cáirde – Friends Matter’ is a nationwide initiative that was conceived around a Galway table but could help countless families once it is rolled out in communities, sporting clubs and schools.

The man behind the movement is Tadhg Ó Beaglaoich from Salthill, who now lives in Newbridge, Co Kildare. Other Galway-based founding members were Andrew Murphy, Clement Shevlin, and John Joe Burke.

Tadhg saw first-hand how a friend facing mental health issues found it hard to make his way in life.

“I have been aware from a young age how problems can hinder you from getting on with your life. In my own case it was dyslexia, which I hid for years.

“There are a range of problems relating to mental health issues from social anxiety, which can be crippling, to depression, to feeling suicidal.

“But there are also other problems like domestic violence, bereavement or post-natal depression, for example, which are all issues people don’t want or feel they can’t talk about,” said Tadhg.

He said he wanted to provide a peer-to-peer support group where people could reach out to people via a network organised centrally. As he says himself, “ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine” which translates as ‘the importance of supporting one another’.

But primarily, Cáirde is an approved housing body which got charity status a fortnight ago which will be engaging with local authorities to secure accommodation for those who suffer from from any variation of mental health issue.

Tadhg is a firm believer that having a roof over your head is a basic necessity but that all too often, people can lose their homes due to their own mental health issues.

Cáirde will be providing homes by coming up with 20% of funding required per unit with the balance paid for out of public funds.

“This is not about homelessness,” stresses Cathie Farrell, a Salthill woman who has known Tadhg all her life and who has come on board to help get the movement off the ground.

Cathie, who is currently living in Dublin, is thrilled to be in a position to help and indeed is one of a handful of key people Tadhg has entrusted with a number of various strands of Cáirde.

“As well as concentrating on the accommodation aspect, we are also in the process of, through social media, publicity and word of mouth, establishing a network of people who want to volunteer.

“A group of trustees is currently being trained in first response course given by the St John of Gods in Stillorgan which will educate people on knowing what signs to look for in people suffering from anxiety, depression or whatever.

“And we also hope to roll out something similar in schools educating children as young as nine in recognising mental health issues and more importantly helping to remove the stigma surrounding all aspects of mental health and provide early intervention,” said Cathie.

Both Cathie and Tadhg acknowledge that there are other organisations providing support and backup for people with mental health issues but believe that Cáirde will fill a particular gap.

Cáirde recognises that there are many strands of mental health and that possibly social anxiety and a bout of depression for example are not always taken as seriously as other types of mental health issues.

Tadhg adds: “If your social anxiety means you can’t leave the house, it means you can’t do your job. And if you can’t do your job, you may not be able to pay for or secure accommodation.

“We have certainly lost something since the boom years. We are answerable to technology instead of to one another and I am hoping that this peer-to-peer network will address that.”

And though Tadhg, who lived in Galway from the age of one up until he moved to Newbridge three years ago, has been working on his idea for over two years, he found out recently that a very similar organisation was set up in Australia.

In fact there are any number of mentoring organisations worldwide but obviously Cáirde will be tailored to suit the Irish, a country renowned for its friendliness, its homeliness and generosity.

But Tadhg is now hoping that Irish people will direct all these good traits into helping people in their own community.

Cáirde is being officially launched in Dingle at the end of the month with a number of activities including a cycle around Slea Head, a golf classic, soccer, GAA and rugby tournaments.

Similar fundraising events will be taking place during the year in Galway and elsewhere and anyone interested in getting involved as a volunteer, to donate, sponsor or participate can get in touch with either Cathie or Tadhg at 086-8131452.

■ More information about ‘Cáirde Friends Matter’ can be accessed on their Facebook page or at cairde.org