Inishowen Co-Op Wins National Excellence in Community Outreach Award at 2024 Octabuild Awards

Inishowen Co-Op is delighted to announce that it has been awarded the "Excellence in Community Outreach" accolade at the 2024 Octabuild Awards, held at the Mansion House in Dublin. This prestigious national recognition highlights the Co-Op’s outstanding commitment to community support and development across the Inishowen region.

The Octabuild Awards have been celebrating excellence in the builders' merchant trade for over 35 years, with eight leading manufacturers – Dulux, Etex Ireland, Glennon Brothers, Grant Engineering, Gyproc, Irish Cement, Kingspan Insulation, and Wavin Ireland – as founding members. The awards seek to acknowledge builders' merchants that go above and beyond in areas such as community engagement, innovation, and customer service.

Chairman of Inishowen Co-Op John Ruddy, expressed his delight in receiving the award, commending the board and the entire team for their dedication to upholding the cooperative ethos. "Building on community partnerships is at the forefront of what we do. This award reflects our commitment to supporting the tight-knit community of Inishowen, providing employment, economic growth, and opportunities while always prioritizing profit with a purpose, which is the essence of cooperative movements worldwide," he stated.

Inishowen Co-Op’s community support spans numerous impactful projects and initiatives, including:

Sponsorship of Spraoi Agus Sport: The Co-Op supported this award-winning social enterprise to deliver a Digital Creative Lab that reached 2,228 individuals. The initiative took place in 17 schools across Inishowen and hosted after-school workshops, Easter, Summer, and Halloween camps, and community events in Clonmany, Carn, and Moville.

Provision of Life-Saving Defibrillators: Inishowen Co-Op sponsored two defibrillators for the community and provided First Aid Responder training to staff and local residents. This initiative is a life-saving contribution that ensures community wellbeing.

Support for Defective Blocks Community: The Co-Op hosts an annual  home build event with expert guest speakers offering impartial advice and support for families affected by defective concrete blocks.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Programmes: In partnership with the Inishowen Development Partnership, the Co-Op supported pilot programmes across primary and secondary schools in the area, aimed at improving the mental health and wellbeing of children impacted by defective housing.

Inishowen Co-Op also regularly collaborates with local non-profit organizations and voluntary groups, providing them a platform to raise funds and share their message, thus ensuring widespread community impact.

Marketing Manager Lizzie Kelly shared her joy about the award, saying, "This recognition is a testament to  all the team in Inishowen Co-Op and the value we place on building partnerships. Supporting the community is vital to our day to day communication and marketing plans."

The 2024 Octabuild Builders Merchant Excellence Awards gala, hosted by Lucy Kennedy, took place in the iconic Round Room at the Mansion House, with entertainment provided by award-winning comedian Neil Delamere. The event brought together industry leaders to celebrate the achievements of outstanding builders' merchants across Ireland.

Inishowen Co-Op wish to thank everyone for their support in helping them achieve this national award and bring it home to Donegal.

For more information about Inishowen Co-Op and its community initiatives, please visit our website inishowencoop.com  or our social media on facebook and instagram.