South Meath Social Economy, Meath

HomeLife (South Meath Social Economy) is an organisation that is providing vital support to older people and those with disabilities, enabling them to live safely and independently in their own homes and communities for longer.

The group, based in Co. Meath, provide a home and garden maintenance service as well as a senior alert system. This reliable and affordable support addresses essential needs of their clients such as home repairs, accessibility modifications, and gardening.

But HomeLife is not just about practical help; it provides companionship and helps reduce isolation, enhancing seniors’ quality of life and promoting social inclusion, dignity, comfort, and wellbeing for all those who use its services and allows them to stay in their home and communities for longer.

National Lottery Good Causes funding enabled HomeLife to introduce new programmes and initiatives addressing emerging needs within the community, such as the introduction of home adaptation grants, which facilitated essential modifications to improve accessibility and safety for older individuals and people with disabilities. The funding also allowed HomeLife to invest in staff training and development which has allowed it to provide personalised care and support.

An example that showcases HomeLife's profound impact involves an elderly widow who was living alone and facing numerous challenges due to mobility issues and limited financial resources. With HomeLife's help, she experienced a significant improvement in her quality of life – regaining independence, safety and dignity in her own home and enabling her to continue living in the community she cherished.

As well as providing essential services, HomeLife's impactful work touches hearts and transforms lives. By naming them the 2024 Community category winner, the National Lottery Good Causes Awards are thrilled to highlight HomeLife’s commitment to enhancing the fabric of Irish life which we are sure will inspire others to emulate their example of compassion, inclusion and community service.