Tarbert Hosts Darkness Into Light
The idea of Tarbert hosting Darkness into Light walk in 2022 was born on the Island Road, Tarbert over a year ago. Three regular walkers decided to do the walk at 4am on Saturday May 8th 2021, word got out and in the midst of Covid-19 our socially-distanced numbers swelled. Afterwards, we made contact with Pieta House and Con O’Connor confirmed our inclusion as an approved venue for 2022.
The level of support for Pieta’s services at community level is just astonishing as was captured by the local, national and international support on the DIL – DAY 7th May 2022. The images and video clips in the video presentation below captures this support in spades! Our first official DIL walk here was a success despite some logistical challenges we faced down and overcame. Lessons learned and areas for improvement for 2023.
Thank You to the best community project team I have ever worked with in my lifetime. It’s difficult to find the appropriate words of appreciation for the quiet way (and sometimes not so quiet way!) everybody went about the tasks needed to make this the event it became. Above and beyond the great working together spirit was the team’s creativity and determination to make this something different and special that really stood out for me. Without Brendan, Eleanor, Joe, Liz, Marie, Mary, Noreen, Pat, Suzanne and Trisha this event would not have taken place. The awesome power of ‘YES WE CAN’ came to the fore.
Lest we forget, or get caught up in the mundane, it is the Pieta message of free and readily available access to services 24:7 that takes the stage. Already we see demand on these services has increased by 20% so far this year. Real people looking for help with active or passive suicidal ideation, self-harm thoughts and actions and impacted family members struggling to understand and cope with it all after Covid. For me “Collaboration and Community” are essential components for a better future whereby our wellness, wellbeing and self-care are paramount.
Hope we might see you at DIL Tarbert 2023 – where another warm welcome awaits.
Paddy Creedon, Chairperson DIL Committee – Tarbert 2022
