Some Irish Colleges and Universities reserve a limited number of places on a reduced points basis to students entering third level education through the Disability Access Route to Education scheme (DARE). This pathway facilitates a variety of academic, personal, and social supports for successful applicants. Further details are available here.
The Association for Higher Education Access and Disability (AHEAD) is a voluntary organisation supporting access to third-level education for disabled adolescents and young adults. Further details are available here.
The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is a higher education admissions scheme for Leaving Certificate students (under 23) whose economic or social background are underrepresented in higher education. Further details are available here.
Students with disabilities (for example, visual impairments, learning difficulties, motor and mobility impairments and so on) can apply through their school for Reasonable Accommodations at Certificate Examinations (RACE) for State examinations such as the Junior Certificate and the Leaving Certificate. Further details are available here.
The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) enables individuals aged 21+ who have been getting certain social welfare payments, such as the Disability Allowance for six-months, to engage in full-time education courses at various nationwide Vocation Education Committee (VEC) centres. Further details are available here.
Autism certainly isn’t advanced by Waterford Counselling Centre or Big Picture Psychology Limited as a mental disability or illness. However, Neurodivergent and/or Autistic adults may require financial supports, (e.g., Disability Allowance) due to challenges in securing and/or maintaining full or part-time employment.
The following short videos by AsIAm Ireland outline helpful steps, which may enable an individual to access weekly payments:
Aware is a service for people experiencing Depression and/or Anxiety. Supports are available @ 1800 80 48 48. Further details are available here.
Barnardos is a community service aimed at utilising direct and interagency approaches to support children and their families. Further details are available here.
Belong To is a unique national services and advocacy organisation for LGBTQ+ young people. Further details are available here.
Bodywhys is a national voluntary organisation, which seeks to ensure support, awareness and understanding of eating disorders amongst the wider community, as well as advocating for the rights and healthcare needs of people affected by eating disorders. Further details are available here.
BRILL FRC is the family resource centre for the communities of Ballybeg/Kilbarry/Lacken, Larchville, Lisduggan, and Manor St John in Waterford City. This organisation provides a range of universal and targeted services and development opportunities that address the needs of families. Further details are available here.
Childline is a free 24 hour confidential listening service for those aged under 18. Support can be accessed by calling 1800 66 66 66. Further details are available here.
ChillOUT youth project works with LGBTI+ young people aged 10-23 in Waterford City and the Southeast. Further details are available here.
Citizen’s Information Centre provide free information on entitlements regarding a host of areas including tax, social welfare, employment, housing, education, and the criminal justice system. Further details are available here.
Family Carers Ireland offer a confidential, friendly and supportive Care Line, carer support groups, in-home respite care, training, information on rights and entitlements and other necessary supports. Further details are available here.
Focus Ireland provides services for people who are homeless and people at risk of homelessness. They can be reached locally in Waterford @ 051 879810 and nationally @ 01 881 5900. Further details are available here.
Gambling Care signposts to dedicated support services across the country including residential programmes, in-person counselling, online counselling, and support groups. One-to-one support can be accessed at St Brigids Family Resource Centre, Waterford City by calling 089 497 4415. Further details are available here.
Grow nurtures and promotes recovery and maintenance of mental health through regular community support groups. Further details are available here.
Irish Men’s Sheds Association aim to make it as easy as possible for any like-minded group of men in Ireland to set up, run and maintain a men’s shed, through the provision of information, resources and support to their nationwide membership. Further details are available here.
Laochas provide mental health services and education for young people up to the age of 18 years old, in Waterford City and County, through the development and delivery of workshops in both primary and secondary schools, and provision of free counselling services. Further details are available here.
Men’s Development Network works with men in Waterford City on various levels including one-to-one, developmental, parenting, behaviour change group work, training, phoneline support, and raising awareness. Further details are available here.
Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) is a free, confidential, and independent service supporting people with money advice, budgeting, and problem debt. Further details are available here.
National Counselling Service provides free counselling to people aged 18, or older, who have a medical card. Specialised counselling services are also available to any adult, who has experienced childhood abuse or neglect, and to anyone who is a former resident of a mother and baby home. This service can be reached by calling 1800 700 700. Further details are available here.
Pieta provides a range of free services nationally to people who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, those who engage in self-harm, and those bereaved by suicide. Their crisis helpline can be reached @ 1800 247 247. Further details are available here.
Samaritans provide a confidential 24-hour emotional support service for anyone experiencing feelings of distress or despair. They can be reached @ 116 123. Further details are available here.
SHIP (Self Harm Intervention Programme) is a HSE counselling service for people aged 16+ who are self-harming and/or have suicidal ideation. This is not a crisis service and access is enabled via GP referral.
SpunOut is a youth information and support platform, working towards an Ireland where all young people are supported and empowered to thrive. Further details are available here.
St Brigid’s Family & Community Centre provides community-based family support in Waterford City through the provision of a range of services and programmes for individuals, parents, children, families, and groups. Further details are available here.
Third Age is a national voluntary organisation celebrating senior years in life when people may no longer be in paid employment, but can remain healthy, fulfilled and continue to contribute to society. Further details are available here.
Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) seeks to improve conditions and advance the rights and equality of trans people and their families. Further details are available here.
Waterford Drug, Alcohol, and Addiction Support Links. Contact details and materials concerning a comprehensive range of local and specialist services can be accessed here.
Waterford Parent Hub is a one-stop shop for parents, families and caregivers, for parenting advice and support, and for related news and events in the Waterford area. Further details are available here.
Waterford Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre offers one-to-one counselling for victims of sexual violence/sexual abuse. Further details are available here.
Waterford Women’s Centre & Childcare Service builds capacity by focusing upon class and gender equality and anti-poverty and social inclusion, to collectively challenge cultural, political, and economic inequalities, to facilitate women to participate at all levels of civil society. Further details are available here.
