Season's Greetings and a Special Message from The Wheel's CEO

At this time of year, when we reflect on how the people and communities that we support through our collective work might be faring, I am wishing you, our members, the very best for 2024.

This is my first Christmas update since taking up the role of CEO in May this year; and, regrettably, my message must be tinged with no small degree of sadness at the turn of events in Dublin on 23 November. 

My heart goes out to the families and communities most directly affected by the awful attacks on Parnell Square, I am also deeply saddened and distressed by the subsequent acts of violence which took place on the streets of Dublin. Like so many of us, I am troubled to think what these events, and their ongoing aftermath might mean for our society, and for the community and voluntary sector that helps to sustain so much of what is good about this country we collectively call our home.   

Why have we seen such violence, destruction, and intimidation? How can we protect communities from the harm being done and the fear and trauma which arises as a result? What needs to be done now to address the circumstances that have led to these developments? How can we show leadership in bringing people and communities together in a spirit of inclusion, unity, and mutual respect, while confounding the forces driving exclusion, division, and hatred?  

I believe our members and the community and voluntary sector at large have a crucial role to play in building the path towards a just and inclusive Ireland we can all rightly be proud to live in. We will be working with our members and colleagues in the community and voluntary sector to create spaces and initiatives to help bring our sector together, and to deepen relationships of understanding and respect.   

I believe a decisive moment has arrived for the country of a hundred thousand welcomes...

I believe a decisive moment has arrived for the country of a hundred thousand welcomes: it is incumbent on us all to take on the work of strengthening and uplifting dynamic and inclusive communities across Ireland. There is much to be done. Government needs to invest seriously and with great urgency in housing, health, social, education, and community-services for everyone, including in communities that are hosting new arrivals and those who have been left behind in more prosperous times, and who have suffered the brunt of years of austerity.

Perhaps for the first time in Ireland’s history, it is without question that a lack of resources is not the problem – it is capacities and priorities of our government that require attention. Beyond urgent and creative thinking, urgent action is now needed to mobilise our society to ensure that inclusivity and fairness are more than just slogans. Rest assured that The Wheel will be at the forefront of encouraging Government in this direction, and in supporting the community and voluntary sector in playing what must be its central role in the sustained and necessary response to the challenges we are now facing together. 

In addition to these recent developments, 2023 has been an extremely eventful year more generally, for Ireland,  the world, and for the community and voluntary sector; we are currently witnessing the ongoing and terrible loss of human life in Gaza following the events of 7 October, we have seen the intensification of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, tragedies continue to take place in the Mediterranean Sea, and we have had yet another year of broken global temperature records .   

Events both domestic and international can be unquestionably overwhelming, but I am constantly heartened by the work that our members and our sector as a whole put in to support people and communities, day in and day out in, through these most challenging times, and by the tireless campaigning for the changes we need to see our world put on a new, more secure, and sustainable path.   

While these themes rightly preoccupy our global news agendas, there have been much less heralded, but nonetheless incredibly positive and welcome, developments in our sector in 2023 including: 

• Improved partnership working between sector and state in the Health Dialogue Forum 
• Increases in the VAT Compensation Scheme (doubling from €5m to €10m) 
• New Principles for Collaboration and Partnership Working published by DRCD 
• The now-annual Civic Forum hosted by the Department of Rural and Community Development 
• A new national Strategy on Philanthropy to be launched 13 December 
• A new national Strategy on Social Enterprise to be launched early 2024. 

The executive team at The Wheel have been busy over 2023 providing services, supports, networking and training opportunities, information, advice, and guidance, as well as representing you in the many statutory partnership processes that we are involved in on behalf of members. The team has been led by our very committed Board who have, as ever, provided strong governance and clear strategic leadership and direction. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff team and the board for their magnificent work in 2023.  

Finally, on behalf of the Board and the executive team at The Wheel, I would like to thank you for your continued membership and support in 2023, and to express the hope that you have felt the benefit of your membership in our community this year. Your membership is valued not least as the expression of solidarity and contribution to the strength of the charity and community sector that it constitutes. 

I look forward to working with you again next year towards our common purpose of achieving a thriving charity and community sector at the heart of a fair and just Ireland.    

With my best wishes for 2024, 

Ivan