Woman who turned to alcohol after partner's suicide changed her life in Kildare

Tiglin, an organisation based in Kildare dedicated to helping homelessness and drug/alcohol addiction, has shared two inspiring stories from people they have helped as they announce a major funding breakthrough that will help them continue to help people.

Tiglin has a centre located at Jigginstown Manor that works on helping homeless people recover from addiction, get their own home and get back into work or education.

The vital funding that they have recently secured ensures that people overcoming addiction and homelessness can continue to  access structured learning pathways proven to help them in recovery and open doors to new opportunities for them. 

Over the last three years, people availing of Tiglin’s homeless and rehabilitation services have had the opportunity to
engage with a third level educational programme delivered by South East Technological University, SETU.

The collaboration between both organisations began in 2016, but its impact grew after the Higher Education Authority,
HEA, awarded a three year pilot grant in 2023.

Since then, more than 315 people in Tiglin’s care have completed certificates across twenty nine accredited modules.

With the pilot due to finish in late 2025, Tiglin sought a firm commitment to keep the initiative in place.

Minister James Lawless has now confirmed funding so the programme can continue beyond the pilot period.

Tiglin co founder Senator Aubrey McCarthy explains: “Many of those who came from homelessness and addiction never engaged with third level education before. This initiative has restored lives and created new ones.”

One person who benefited from the programme is Nicola, whose recovery and educational journey reflect the purpose of the collaboration.

Nicola from Meath first struggled with alcohol as a teenager, and for many years it dominated every part of her life. The isolation of addiction, the loss of relationships and the trauma she experienced led to repeated crises.

During the second year of the COVID lockdown her partner died by suicide, and Nicola used alcohol to numb her grief until she reached her lowest point and entered Tiglin.

Through the programme, she began to understand the roots of her addiction and the patterns that shaped her life.

She also recognised the harm experienced by her family and how her addiction limited their opportunities as well as
her own.

Her time in rehabilitation opened the door to SETU classes delivered in the centre, and Nicola found herself thriving in an environment that met her needs and allowed her to rebuild confidence.

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She has completed five SETU certificates and earned a full Level Six diploma with BIFE and she now lives in her own
apartment, works part time and is preparing to begin a psychology degree.

“It sparked in me a real desire to continue my studies, which I did, and next year I will take them even further. It showed me that it is never too late in life to learn, and it helped me realise how capable and willing I truly am, “ Nicola said.

Another participant, Brendan Hurson from Galway, entered Tiglin Men’s Centre determined to rebuild his life after addiction. He had completed two years of college after his Leaving Certificate but drifted into work, earning enough to fuel the habits that eventually pushed him to seek help.

While in Tiglin, Brendan joined the back to education initiative delivered by SETU on site. Through several component certificates, he rediscovered the value of education and went on to complete further courses.

After finishing the residential programme, he moved into Tiglin’s seven month aftercare programme, which continues the
work begun in the centre and includes recovery supports and job training.

He also joined the community employment programme, kept studying and now holds a Level Seven degree and is due to begin a Level Eight course next year.

Brendan believes the opportunity he received in the centre opened the door back to education at the moment he needed it most.

It equipped him with the skills that eventually led him to work on the very same aftercare programme he once attended.

The initiative shows what is possible when government, higher education and the community sector work together
to restore lives and support people in reaching their