Meet Our Team

Facilitator

My name’s Ciara, and I work with Soar as a Facilitator. I get to be involved in the amazing experience of travelling the country weekly and meeting so many incredible humans in this space. It never ceases to amaze me how much I learn from the young people that partake in the programmes.

I have a background in psychology, now graduated from UCD, so I like to think this work suits me nicely. I got involved with Soar when I was 16 in Transition Year through a week of work experience, and that stuck with me until I ultimately came full circle and joined the team during my final year of college in 2022! I often think that doing this work is like giving back to my 16-year-old self. Self-conscious, nervous teenage Ciara would have benefited from a workshop. When I’m not working, you’ll find me swimming in the sea all times of the year, at a concert with my mates or scouring charity shops for my 100th dad-jumper.

Facilitator

My name is Donal, I work as a Workshop Facilitator. I’ve been with Soar for nearly 3 years, but up to now it has been part time as I was also working as a Games Promotions Officer with Dublin GAA. I’m really excited about working with Soar, as it is such a rewarding experience for me as I see myself in a lot of the young people we get to meet.

Sport plays a massive role in my life and hurling and football for my GAA club are my greatest passions, I enjoy watching nearly every sport. In my spare time I love coffee, podcasts and a good conspiracy theory. A guilty pleasure of mine would have to be a bit of pre-bed TikTok.

Facilitator

Hi I’m Kate! I’m training with Soar as a Facilitator. I'm part of the programme delivery team, so I get to travel around the country doing workshops! In 2020 I received a TY workshop from Soar. I loved it because the facilitators made us feel seen and heard and valued as young people. As well as working for Soar, I am in college studying Visual Culture. I love reading and music and I DJ a little!

Director of Operations

I’m Lynn, Director of Operations with Soar. Having spent years working in tech and banking I had always wanted to work with young people. After Covid when the position at Soar came up, I jumped at it. My role is to make sure the that key functions within the organisation are working smoothly- HR, Finance and all the parts in between. Working at Soar means I can be part of a team who are facilitating safe spaces for our young people - holding up a mirror for them to see how amazing and wonderful they are. As a mum of two children, I am passionate about young people’s wellbeing and promoting a healthy mind in a sometimes-overwhelming world. Life outside of work is about family but if I get a minute, you will find me in the garden, gym or sea, weather depending!

CEO

I was drawn to Soar because it was the closest thing, I found to what I needed when I was 16. I needed to feel like what I was experiencing was normal. I needed to feel like I wasn't alone. I needed to feel like it was going to be okay. And I needed to know that I had the capacity to create my own story and I didn't have to wait for anyone else's permission. I needed to kick down all the barriers that were in my own head. It took too many years of merely hanging in there surviving to find this stuff out and I feel it doesn't need to be that way.

As CEO my purpose is to ensure the team have what they need to deliver our mission with energy, and that we have the financial sustainability in place to thrive as an organisation. I'm fascinated by people; what makes us feel, think, and behave the way we do. I'm most engaged when I'm figuring this stuff out for myself and helping others do the same. Sports and any kind of play is where I'm most at ease and I love being with family and friends and having nowhere else to be.

Programme Delivery Team Lead

Hi, I’m Martin! I’m from Wexford and now live in Dublin. I first encountered Soar in 2013 when I attended a workshop at my school, St Peter’s College Wexford. I was blown away by the honesty and courage in the room that day and was inspired to find out more. I stayed involved with Soar after this as part of the Youth Crew.

When I finished school, I studied Psychology at Maynooth University and during this time I started training to become a Facilitator. I began running workshops in early 2018 and when I graduated in 2020, I came on board with Soar full-time. I still work as a Facilitator and am the Programme Delivery Team Lead. I’m also responsible for assessing the impact of all Soar’s workshops to ensure we always serve teenagers to the best of our ability. Outside of Soar, I love playing hurling, watching all sports, traveling and chilling with friends.

Head of School Relationships

My name is Orlagh and I oversee the delivery of our school workshops here at Soar. I feel so privileged to do this job because after many years out delivering workshops myself, I understand the impact that it can have on both groups and individuals. So, in my current role, I get to support both new and existing teachers and co-ordinators in the workshop process. I truly believe that teenagers have a lot of the answers they need inside of them, they just require some support in understanding themselves and navigating their emotions at times.

Ten years on and I still believe very strongly in what Soar creates for young people. I live outside Dublin and love jumping into the Irish sea most mornings. I just adore running in the Wicklow mountains and around my community with friends. I enjoy having a laugh with my partner and dog – they’re great craic! Family & friends are very important to me. My favourite quote is ‘comparison is the thief of joy’ as it reminds me to live my own life and create my own path.

Marketing & Communications Executive

My name is Sorcha! I look after the marketing & communications at Soar, and the events too. I also work facilitating workshops - that’s how I originally got involved in 2018! I met the team when making coffee downstairs from the old office. I was intrigued by the work Soar does since I availed of a lot of supports myself as a teenager and felt consistently failed by the systems put in place for me. I felt unfixable. Witnessing a Soar workshop was the first time in my life that I watched a full room of teenagers feel seen. There was no turning back for me from that moment! Outside of Soar, I live in Dublin and I love playing & writing music, performing improv and I’m currently converting a van to travel around in. I’m also a Bohs fan!