UL graduate an awardee of the 2023 Social Enterprise Development Fund funded by Rethink Ireland

Dr Lisa Kelly, Graduate of the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance (BA Irish Music and Dance; MA Music Therapy, PhD Music Therapy) and co-founder of Anam Music Therapy, has been selected as one of the 2023 Social Enterprise Development Fund Awardees funded by Rethink Ireland.

The Social Enterprise Development (SED) Fund is a €4.4 million fund being delivered from 2018 to 2023, supported by IPB Insurance, together with Local Authorities Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development, via the Dormant Accounts Fund. Rethink Ireland, the organisation supporting the most innovative non-profit organisations working in Irish communities across the country, supports social enterprises that are focused on critical positive change.

Awardee social enterprises will receive a combination of cash grants and business supports, including a cash injection of €22,500 each and access to a non-financial support package worth €7,500, aimed at assisting each awardee in further expanding their organisations and supporting people that are most in need. With co-founder Mr Fabian Joyce (also a graduate of the MA Music Therapy at UL), this prestigious award recognizes Anam Music Therapy, as a social enterprise of note, worthy of professional mentoring and funding.

Anam Music Therapy is a community-based music therapy organisation that provides accessible music therapy services to those most in need, while increasing awareness of the profession in Ireland. It was established by Lisa and Fabian in 2020. Two board members of Anam Music Therapy are members of the teaching staff on the MA Music Therapy programme at UL, whilst Lisa’s community engaged PhD research was supported and supervised by Prof Hilary Moss and Prof Ita Richardson.

The music therapy department at UL prioritises research and practice that is PPI led and community engaged. https://businessplus.ie/news/rethink-enterprises/