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We are thrilled to share that Siel Bleu Ireland has received a significant funding boost from Kingspan, a global leader in sustainable building solutions!

For those who are unfamiliar, Siel Bleu Ireland is a social enterprise dedicated to improving the physical and mental well-being of older adults through tailored exercise programmes. Our mission is to empower older adults and those with chronic illnesses to live healthier, more active lives – thereby promoting independence and improving overall quality of life. Through a combination of group classes, one-on-one sessions, and community outreach initiatives, we strive to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.

The generous support from Kingspan allows us to expand our reach and impact even further. With their funding, we can continue to develop new programmes, reach more communities, and provide essential resources to those in need.

The partnership with Kingspan exemplifies a shared commitment to making a positive difference in people’s lives and creating lasting change on a larger scale. Together, we can continue to work towards a healthier and more inclusive society, where everyone has the opportunity to live their best life, regardless of circumstance.

We remain dedicated to our vision of a healthier, more active Ireland for older adults, and with the support of partners like Kingspan, we can continue to make a difference in the lives of many across the country.

We are immensely grateful to Kingspan for their belief in our vision and choosing to partner with us in our mission!

Siel Bleu Ireland is delighted to announce the appointment of Sinead Lonergan as its new Board Chairwoman. With a remarkable 25-year career advising Irish companies on growth strategies and extensive international experience, Sinead brings a global perspective to the organisation.

Sinead Lonergan’s notable accomplishments include managing Enterprise Ireland’s France office, expanding its presence in Lyon, and spearheading the Women in Business Strategy to empower female entrepreneurs and leaders in the Irish industry. Beyond her professional achievements, Sinead is a proud mother of three, and her diverse interests range from cycling and hiking to gardening and theatre.

Siel Bleu Ireland is excited to welcome Sinead Lonergan to lead its board, to ensuring high governance standards and providing guidance on strategy to further expand services into communities all over Ireland, providing increased autonomy and well-being to older adults and people suffering with chronic illness.

As I pen this message, I am filled with pride and gratitude. Serving as the former Chairman of Siel Bleu Ireland board has been a remarkable journey filled with inspiration, growth, and purpose.

Upon joining as Chairman, Siel Bleu was at a critical juncture with a turnover of €267,000 and eight dedicated staff members. Today, I am thrilled to report our impressive progress, with an annual turnover of over €800,000 and 25 dedicated staff members, marking substantial financial growth and national expansion.

Our most notable achievement was the revitalisation of our Board, adapting to the changing landscape with highly skilled professionals. This proved essential as we transitioned from grant dependency to fee-paying services, a challenging but necessary shift.

My heartfelt appreciation goes to Thomas McCabe for his exceptional leadership. He has confronted many obstacles, including the COVID epidemic and key staff losses, steering Siel Bleu towards a vibrant future.

I am equally grateful to all the current and past Board members, especially Caroline and Phil, for their dedication. Guillaume, from Siel Bleu France and Europe, has played a pivotal role in supporting our international efforts.

As my journey with Siel Bleu concludes, I reflect with satisfaction on our growth and transformation. Siel Bleu is well-positioned to expand its mission and make a positive impact.

Thank you, our dedicated staff, partners, supporters, and fellow Board members, for your commitment.

Warmly,

Roger Jupp

Introduction:

Siel Bleu Ireland is thrilled to have been awarded a generous funding of €13,500 from The Hospital Saturday Fund. This financial support is a huge boost to our mission to enhance the lives of older adults through physical activity and exercise. With this funding, we will be able to hire new staff members and extend our services, benefitting 1,400 individuals across Ireland. 

Expanding Reach and Impact:

By welcoming new staff members into our team, we aim to strengthen our existing programmes and introduce innovative initiatives tailored to the unique needs of older adults. Our unwavering dedication to improving physical and mental well-being through exercise will now have a positive influence on more individuals throughout Ireland, empowering them to lead healthier, more active lives.

Enhancing Lives through Physical Activity:

At Siel Bleu Ireland, our approach to promoting well-being among older adults revolves around the transformative power of physical activity and exercise. By incorporating tailored fitness programmes into the lives of older adults, we strive to increase mobility, prevent falls, and enhance overall quality of life. Extensive research highlights the significant positive effects of regular exercise on mental health, cognitive abilities, and social interaction, making our mission even more vital in today’s society.

The Importance of Funding:

Securing funding is a critical challenge for Social Enterprise organisations like ours, particularly as we strive to improve the lives of vulnerable populations. The remarkable funding provided by the Hospital Saturday Fund demonstrates the crucial role that philanthropic support plays in empowering organisations such as Siel Bleu Ireland to continue their invaluable work. By investing in the physical well-being of older adults, the Hospital Saturday Fund is actively contributing to enhancing the quality of life for individuals across Ireland.

Expressing Gratitude:

On behalf of Siel Bleu Ireland and the individuals who will benefit from our services, we extend our deepest gratitude to the Hospital Saturday Fund for their continued support. This support will enable Siel Bleu Ireland to make a lasting impact on the new participants in our programmes and in turn, empower them to embrace healthier and more active lifestyles.

We thank the Hospital Saturday Fund for their extraordinary generosity and commitment to improving the lives of older adults. We hope that this partnership continues to make a profound and positive impact on the well-being of our service users across Ireland.

In 2023, The Hospital Saturday Fund will give £2.3m/€2.5m in donations and grants to medical charities for care and research, hospices and hospitals across Ireland and the UK Assistance will also be given to individuals whose illness or disability has caused financial difficulties.

For more information, visit: https://hospitalsaturdayfund.org/

Siel Bleu Ireland are delighted to announce that it has once again been awarded ‘Triple Lock’ status (2023) by the Charities Institute Ireland (CII), reflecting our openness, integrity and commitment to our members and functioning with high standards of good governance, good fundraising practices and transparency.
Triple Lock status is bestowed upon charities and organisations that adhere to the highest standards of transparency, ethical fundraising, and strong governance structures. This accreditation is the gold standard for Irish charities to offer donors, members, and the general public assurances.
In order to attain the Triple Lock, Siel Bleu Ireland have:
Adopted and maintained compliance with the Guidelines for Charitable Organisations on Fundraising from the Public. This means that our staff and volunteers are fully trained on what’s required, and we have implemented controls to ensure that all our fundraising practices are fully in line with the Guidelines.
Prepared annual financial statements (which can be viewed here) in compliance with the Charity SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice under FRS102) accounting standard.
Completed the full implementation of the Charities Regulator Charities Governance Code.
As an organisation, Siel Bleu Ireland is committed to reviewing our policies and procedures on a regular basis in order to maintain our adherence to the aforementioned standards.

Siel Bleu at Home is bringing its classes online and into your homes, so start exercising with us today and experience independence. To know more about one month of free classes, memberships, payments and how to get onto our app, visit www.sielbleu.ie

 

It is estimated that around 120,000 people in Ireland are living with Parkinson’s Disease (PD), which is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s. The hallmark signs of PD include tremors of a limb, slowness of movement, rigidity, poor balance, and shuffling walk, which is often accompanied by stooped-over posture, forward lean, and difficulty initiating a step. All of the above can have a negative impact on a person’s quality of life and performance of daily activities such as walking, stair climbing, reaching, and dressing.

Exercise and physical activity have been proven to be effective in reducing the signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s, as well as reducing the onset of symptoms. It must be remembered that PD is a progressive disease, thus it is important that exercise and physical activity are a regular element of a person’s life.

To help those who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, we provide group exercise classes focusing on maintaining and improving one’s quality of life through specific exercises focusing on strength, balance, coordination, and quality movement. Our new Parkinson’s Exercise Program runs for 12 weeks and includes specific physical function assessment, and specific training to improve one’s ability to live their life.

People who joined our classes previously reported improvements in their walking speed, and moment, improvements in balance, coordination, strength, as well as flexibility, and agility. In addition to the physical benefits, our members seem to foster team spirit between each other, reduce social isolation and loneliness, and encourage socialisation.  

Why not try it for yourself?! Take charge of your own physical and mental health, improve your mood and overall sense of achievement, and most importantly, have fun doing it!

Contact us at info@sielbleu.ie for more information on where you can attend a class.

Happy International Women’s Day!

We are lucky to have some wonderful women on our team and participating in our exercise classes. Regular exercise is an important way to keep healthy, regardless of age or gender. However, for older women it offers particular benefits:

 

Reduced rate of osteopenia

As we age, we lose bone density. This weakens our bone strength and increases the severity of trips and falls. Regular exercise (particularly weight bearing exercise and resistance training) helps slow down the rate of bone loss. This can help reduce our risk of severe injury in the event of a fall. 

 

Better balance and coordination

Improving and maintaining coordination and and balance are essential to reducing our risk of falls and injuries. Balance exercises or those which have us use opposite sides of the body also give our brain a workout! 

 

Maintenance of a healthy body weight

As we get older, our metabolism (the rate at which we use energy) slows down. This can often lead to an increase in body weight, which can put pressure on our joints and make our daily activities more difficult. Exercising regularly elevates our metabolism and helps to prevent excessive weight gain.

 

Improved mood and social connection

With age often comes retirement, changes in family structure and an overall shift in routine. Exercise can provide an anchor point in the day, a mood-boost (due to endorphin production) and a way to meet new people. If you don’t fancy in-person classes just yet, our Siel Bleu at Home sessions are a great alternative!

 

Where should I start?

According to the current Irish guidelines, adults aged 65 and older should aim for 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per week. Moderate intensity equates to being slightly out of breath (but still able to speak), sweating and warmer than at rest. Physical activity should include aerobic, strength and balance exercises to maintain good heart health and reduce falls risk.  

 

If you’re not already physically active, start slowly and build up your level of fitness to where you can complete 30 minutes of continuous exercise. Your starting point could be as simple as walking for 10 minutes a day. Try out a range of activities and see what best suits you. Some people prefer to train individually at home or in a gym, others need the accountability of a trainer, while others still enjoy the social element of a group. If you fall into the last category, our Siel Bleu at Home timetable has options for all fitness levels!