-Ukrainian young person, Ostap, named Participant of the Year –
22 neurodiverse students from Dublin successfully graduated from the NOW Group this weekend at a celebratory event in City Hall, with 23-year-old, Ostap Harnyk from Ukraine being named as NOW Group Participant of the Year.
Ostap joined NOW Group in September 2024 after moving to Phibsborough, Dublin from Ukraine. Despite still learning English, Ostap joined the NOW Connects programme funded by the Health Service Executive (HSE), which helps neurodiverse individuals with soft skills such as money management, route travel training and employment skills training. He was awarded for his positive attitude, determination and progress in just 12 months, with peers describing him as ‘a bright shining light’.
Commenting on the second year of NOW Group graduations in Dublin, CEO of NOW Group, Maeve Monaghan adds: “This is the best night of the year when we get on our glad rags, and we celebrate the achievement of our participants. This is only the start of our journey, and we are delighted to see their hunger to gain qualifications and move towards paid employment.
“We have high hopes for our participants and want to see them excel in life and in the world of work. We are the Inclusion Partner of Choice for business and that opens so many opportunities for people with disabilities.
In attendance was Councillor Danny Byrne at the 2025 Dublin NOW Group graduations. Speaking about the Graduation, Councillor Byrne said:
“It was a great honour to attend my first NOW Group Graduation at Dublin City Hall. It was a tremendous day of celebration, not only for the graduates themselves but also for their families, friends, and all those who supported them along the way. Many congratulations to all participants, and I wish you every success in your future studies and careers.”
The NOW Group is a multi-award-winning social enterprise with Headquarters in Belfast and Dublin. Launching its services in Ireland just two years ago, the NOW Group operates in Greater Dublin, Louth, Monaghan, Cavan, Galway, and Donegal.
The social enterprise partners with businesses to support people with neurodiverse conditions and autism and has created 25 jobs and trained over 200 participants in Ireland in the last 18 months.
Without the support of business, jobs with a future wouldn’t be possible. At the Graduation event, a number of Irish businesses were recognised for their commitment to creating more equal and diverse societies.
- NOW Group Employer of the Year was awarded to Circle K for its work in creating and supporting jobs for neurodiverse participants.
- The Department of Social Protection was named as JAM Card Partner of the Year
- SISK was recognised as Social Value Partner in Ireland.
- A Special Recognition Award was presented to the Department of Justice, and law firm
- A&L Goodbody was named as Pro Bono Champion.
Head of Services for the NOW Group in Ireland, Kim D’Arcy adds: “The NOW Group is well-regarded as having made a huge difference in championing diverse workforces in Northern Ireland for over 20 years, creating hundreds of jobs for its participants.
“We have so much ambition for Ireland, and our Graduation event is just the start of things to come. In the 2025/26 year, we’ve ambitious targets and are hoping to train 300 neurodiverse individuals, creating 100 sustainable jobs for our participants. We passionately believe that society is richer with diverse workforces in which everyone contributes and is valued.”
NOW Group is a social enterprise dedicated to supporting people with learning difficulties, Autism, and Neurodiversity into jobs with a future. In addition to training and employment programmes, the organisation operates Loaf Café at Kilmainham, and it’s also the home of the widely successful JAM card – a discreet way to let others know that JAM card users need ‘Just A Minute’ of patience and support.
For further information on the NOW Group and its services, visit www.nowgroup.org or www.loafcatering.com
Ostap Harnyk, NOW Group Participant of the Year pictured with Maeve Monaghan, CEO, NOW Group.
Pic: Fintan ClarkeCoalesce
Ostap Harnyk, NOW Group Participant of the Year with Amy Dowley and Jamie Tanguy, NOW Group ambassadors, pictured with Maeve Monaghan, CEO, NOW Group.
Pic: Fintan ClarkeCoalesce
-ENDS-
Editor’s Notes:
Feedback from this year’s NOW Connect graduates highlights the transformative support provided by NOW Group:
- 100% said they were happy or very happy with the support received.
- 100% rated the support from their key worker as good or very good.
- 100% said NOW Group helped them identify and work towards their goals.
- 100% felt the support reduced barriers to employment and learning and met their individual needs.
Media enquiries:
Riki Neill / Sarah Hanna / RNN Communications
riki@rnncommunications.com / sarah@rnncommunications.com / 048 9521 3621