The Donegal Women’s Centre in Letterkenny has launched an innovative mental health and arts programme aimed at supporting women at risk of entering or already in the criminal justice system. The initiative, named ‘Creative Reset’, is designed to help women with their mental health, build resilience, and foster personal growth through creative arts therapies.
Empowering Women Through Art and Mental Wellness
The Creative Reset programme offers weekly group sessions where women can reflect on unhealthy habits, develop resilience, and take control of their mental wellness. The sessions are intended to create a safe space for participants to explore their emotions and challenges through creative expression. The focus is not on artistic skill but on the process of creation, offering a therapeutic outlet for those dealing with trauma, mental health struggles, and difficult life circumstances.
Mary Herlihy, the Manager of Donegal Women’s Centre, explained, “We are deeply aware that women who have come into contact with the criminal justice system or are at risk of offending face unique challenges. Their experiences often include trauma from childhood, domestic abuse, addiction, mental health struggles, and intergenerational cycles of violence. These factors need to be addressed through tailored, gender-informed support, and this programme aims to do just that.”
Flexible Participation and Accessible Support
The programme runs for two hours each week, and women can attend as many sessions as they need, with the option to stay longer if necessary. There are no prerequisites for participating in the programme—no prior arts experience is required, just an open mind and a willingness to explore new ways of improving mental health and resilience.
Mary Herlihy further emphasized the programme’s holistic approach, saying, “The end goal is for women to have healthy lifestyles, supportive relationships, and meaningful opportunities, free from the risk of offending. Through this creative approach, we’re offering more than just a series of workshops; we’re providing a chance for personal transformation.”
Addressing the Root Causes of Involvement in the Criminal Justice System
One of the key goals of the Creative Reset programme is to address the root causes that often lead women into the criminal justice system. For many women, issues like domestic violence, substance addiction, and mental health struggles are deeply interconnected, and these challenges are often exacerbated by trauma and social inequality. By providing a gender-informed approach, the programme aims to break these cycles and support women in creating healthier, more fulfilling lives.
Open to Referrals from a Range of Sources
The Creative Reset programme is open to referrals from various organizations and agencies, including:
- The Probation Service
- Donegal Women’s Centre clients
- Social workers
- Donegal Domestic Violence Services
- An Garda Síochána (Police)
- Direct referrals from the courts
Additionally, any woman who feels she may be at risk of entering the criminal justice system, or who has concerns about her own or a loved one’s situation, is encouraged to self-refer or seek assistance from a concerned family member or community group.
Donegal Women’s Centre is encouraging service providers who have identified clients who could benefit from the programme to reach out for a referral form. This broad eligibility ensures that women in the community have the opportunity to engage with the programme, regardless of their background or current status.
Financial Support and Accessibility
To ensure that the programme remains accessible to all, Donegal Women’s Centre offers financial assistance where needed. This includes support with:
- Travel costs
- Childcare expenses
- Counselling contributions
This commitment reflects the Centre’s dedication to ensuring that no woman is excluded based on financial constraints.
Additionally, the Centre offers counselling services for participants who wish to seek further support. All interactions are handled with confidentiality and sensitivity, allowing women to share only what they feel comfortable with.
Community Support and Funding for the Programme
The Department of Justice has committed ongoing funding for the programme in 2025, reinforcing the government’s support for initiatives that work to break cycles of trauma and offending among vulnerable women.
Mary Herlihy expressed her gratitude for this support: “Together, we can help break the cycle and empower women in Donegal to take control of their lives and create a brighter future free from the judicial system. This programme represents a powerful opportunity for transformation and recovery.”
Conclusion
The Creative Reset programme is an important step toward providing women in Donegal with the support they need to overcome the challenges that lead to involvement with the criminal justice system. By combining mental health support with the transformative power of creative arts, the programme aims to break cycles of trauma and crime, empowering women to lead healthier, more resilient lives. The holistic and accessible nature of the initiative positions it as a model of community-driven mental health care, and it holds the potential to change lives for the better, one woman at a time.
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