The National Lottery spoke to Sarah Joyce, Head of Fundraising & Communications at Coolmine Therapeutic Community on its origin story and the impact they have on the community they serve.

I just heard about the fantastic work being done at Coolmine.

I know; it’s really amazing. For more than half a century, Coolmine has been providing people from across the country with the support, time and space to recover from drug and alcohol addiction. We also support families of individuals struggling with drug misuse and provides a safe, supportive environment for people to delve deeper into the underlying issues driving addiction. Coolmine has a range of centres including men’s residential services, women and children residential services, day centres, outreach teams etc – in Dublin, Limerick, Cork and Kerry. All Coolmine services are at full capacity with long waiting lists for its residential services.

I heard a mad story about how it was set up? Is it true?

If you mean the story about Lord Paddy Rossmore, Mick Jagger and Marianne Faithfull, then, yes, it’s true! Coolmine began with a love story. Rock star Marianne, who was dating The Rolling Stones singer, met Paddy at a party in the 1970s and they started a relationship. But Marianne had addiction issues and Paddy could not understand how her drug addiction was being treated with more drugs. He began researching various treatment programmes internationally and, with the support of the Eastern Health Board, Dublin County Council and Professor Ivor Browne, Coolmine Therapeutic Community was born in April 1973.

Apart from the great back-story, what makes Coolmine different?

It is Ireland’s only fully-accredited Therapeutic Community. The treatment is not just about abstinence, it is also about changing behaviour. It is a peer-led organisation where people live together and support each other towards recovery in a family-like unit. It has a huge impact on the people who go through the programme and the wider society. Two years after going through the Coolmine programme, 75 per cent of graduates are free from addiction, back with their families and participating in their communities.

Tell me about Ashleigh House…

Ashleigh House is a residential service for women and children in Dublin. It is unique as it was the first place in the country where mothers could bring their children, up to school-going age, with them to recover and heal together as a family. With onsite childcare and a supportive environment, Ashleigh House removed one of the most significant barriers to addiction recovery for women – the fear of being separated from their children. It was the only such place in the country until Coolmine opened a second such facility in Limerick, called Westbourne House.

But where do National Lottery players come into the story?

Part funding from the National Lottery has made it possible for Coolmine to support women and their families on their recovery journey; in fact, we would go so far as to say that the funding that came from National Lottery players has been transformative for the organisation.

How did players do this?

In 2022, Coolmine was awarded Good Causes funding through the HSE National Lottery grant scheme – made possible by National Lottery players — for the replacement of windows at Ashleigh House. This funding has been crucial in ensuring that Ashleigh House remains a safe, warm, and secure environment for women and their families on their recovery journey. 

For individuals who have experienced the trauma of addiction, having a safe and supportive environment is paramount to their recovery. Providing this healing environment in a safe, warm, and welcoming place is an area we struggle to secure funding for. So, with the National Lottery funding, we were able to provide comfortable living spaces, adequate heating, and security measures, allowing residents to focus on their recovery without the added stress of inadequate living conditions.

But this is about more than just windows?

It sure is. Investing in Ashleigh House sends out a signal. It reinforces Coolmine’s commitment to empowering women to take those first steps towards recovery. And National Lottery players made that possible. We believe that everyone deserves to live a full and productive life, regardless of background. This support sends a powerful message, boosting confidence and motivation. Ultimately, the National Lottery Good Causes funding is integral to maintaining Ashleigh House as a beacon of hope and healing, providing the foundation for successful recovery and brighter futures for women and their families.