Emma Reidy
CEO, Aoibhneas
CEO of Aoibhneas, the Dublin-based domestic abuse support for women and children, Emma Reidy faces new challenges every day. “For me, every day is about the women and children and looking at the experiences they face on a day-to-day basis, and being very creative and innovative with the interventions that we can provide.” The organisation offers refuge accommodation, a 24-hour helpline, drop-in service and an outreach programme. “We try not to simply offer a formulaic way of support, but to really offer something that allows women to build themselves back up with their own choosing.” Starting on the frontline, Emma has never lost sight of the fact that at the heart of everything she does, it’s for the women and children. “I’ve been in the sector for 16 years now, and that really does fuel me. I’ve also learned that the success stories might not be instantaneous for women and children because their journey is so progressive.”
Emma also has to manage core funding and the shortfalls that come with state and donor funding, building and creating alternative revenue streams. “We never have enough resources to do what we need to do, and last year we saw our demand increase by 57 per cent.” As a result of Emma’s dedication and hard work, Aoibhneas has grown significantly over the last few years, supporting women and children through every stage of the domestic abuse journey. “Here, it’s important for a woman to hear no judgements, or feel no shame in her choices. We support her in feeling free to do what she needs to do in the here and now, and encourage her to access us if and when she needs to, and that’s really powerful for us and makes it all worthwhile.”