“The overall aim of what we do is make Laois a better place to live for all.” That’s the perspective of Caroline Lydon who was appointed CEO of Laois Partnership, in June.
When a former colleague brought her attention to an advert for the job, it piqued her interest even though she hadn’t been planning a move.
“I was also keen to have a positive impact on my local community. I have been living in Portlaoise for 14 years now and am choosing to raise my family here. So what better place to take a job than one where the focus is on making the county a better place to live for all?”
Caroline grew up in the small rural town of Oughterard, Co. Galway, a middle child with an older and younger brother.
“Mum worked in an American owned factory that made computer parts and my Dad worked as a lorry driver. I was blessed to grow up in beautiful countryside, living right beside my Dad’s parents who played a big part in my life.”
Her one-teacher primary school encouraged its pupils to do everything: singing, dancing, knitting, music and lots of outdoor play.
“It was a great holistic education with a wonderfully patient teacher. There were only 21 in the school while I was there, a beautiful setting overlooking the Quiet Man Bridge in Derryglen.”
Caroline went from there to the secondary school, St Paul’s in Oughterard town, run by the Sisters of Mercy at the time.
“I went from a class of three to a class of 48. I loved it. My favourite subject was science and I thought about becoming a science teacher for a while. Through conversations with friends during career guidance class, I decided to explore healthcare options instead.
“I came across occupational therapy and loved the variety in the subjects. I went to a few information sessions and an open day and was really drawn to helping people in a variety of ways,” she said.
“Off I went to Dublin which was a bit of a culture shock, to study occupational therapy. I graduated in 1998 from Trinity College and started work straight away. I did a small stint in elderly rehabilitation but found my feet in the area of mental health.
“I developed an interest in vocational rehabilitation, basically helping people who had mental health problems get back to work, education or training and worked in this area for ten years,” Caroline recalled.
“I left it to take a management job in an intellectual disability service in Celbridge and that was my first experience of organisational development and leadership which I found I really enjoyed,” she said.
Stints at a range of organisations over the years followed. “From ’98-‘99 I was with the HSE older person services; from ’99 to 2006, I was with St John of God, Cluain Mhuire services; from 2006 – 2008 I worked with EVE Ltd; from 2008 – 2016 I was with St John of God Kildare Service, St Raphael’s, Celbridge and from 2017- 2023 I was based at the Silver Arch Family Resource Centre, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.
“I was very happy in my role of CEO in Silver Arch Family Resource Centre. In the five-and-a-half years I had been there, I had supported the organisation to develop and grow.
“I actually wasn’t looking for a new job but a previous colleague sent the advert my way, saying she thought it would be a good fit for me.
“I did a bit of research and was happy that I would have the skills and capacity to undertake the job. In my last role I had worked closely with the local development company so was aware of the work involved. I applied, did the interview and was appointed to start on June 6, 2023.”
So what exactly does Laois Partnership do? “There is a network of 49 local development companies around the country.
“Their aim is to use available funding through government, EU and other sources to enhance the communities across each county, particularly areas of disadvantage or groups that are socially marginalised. To put it simply, the overall aim of what we do is to make Laois a better place to live for all.
“The work involves focusing on social inclusion, rural development, enterprise and social enterprise and community development. We also have a remit to support environment and climate action.
“We run a number of different programmes and groups, as well as two childcare facilities and a low cost repair service for elderly people,” Caroline said.
The CEO position was vacant for over 10 months. “There was a lot to catch up on and I started at a very busy time.
“As a development company we have to tender for some of the funded programmes and when I joined in June the company was finalising one of these and commencing another, so I was involved with both of them.
“We also commenced a social prescribing programme, funded via the HSE, so I recruited for that post over the summer.
“As I am new to Laois, in a work context, it was also important that I got out and about. So far I have gotten to meet many inter-agency partners who we collaborate with, members of Laois County Council, local councillors and department officials.
“I have also been out to visit a number of the programmes and projects we support and to meet some of the people who use our services. It is great to see the work that is happening on the ground.
“I am keen for us to get this information out there so that members of the public get a better idea of what we do.
“We are currently working on our website to update it and will be producing new print material and holding an open day in our premises on the New Road in the New Year,” Caroline said.
“At present my focus is mainly internal projects. Hopefully we will be very busy in the New Year getting ready to deliver the new programmes we are tendering for now. I have spent the last few months getting to know the team and the work that we do.
“We are very fortunate to have an experienced and dedicated workforce and one of my jobs is to help them do their job to the best of their ability.
“So for now that means taking an inventory of what we need to do in the company to ensure we are best placed to do the work. This involves reviewing how we do things and streamlining how we work,” said the CEO.
“I am currently working on a number of policies that will help guide the service and ensure best practice in all that we do, as well as looking at training opportunities for staff.
“I am also working closely with the voluntary board of directors who oversee the workings of the company. There is a lot of expectation on the non-profit sector in relation to governance and compliance and that takes time and work to get right,” she said.
“There are two key things for me when it comes to running an organisation, one is quality and the other is job satisfaction.
“In the non-profit charity sector resources are always limited. Therefore it is really important to do the absolute best job with the resources that we have and to deliver quality programmes and projects that add value to the local community.
“Our biggest resource is our employees. No-one works in this sector for the pay benefits. We do it because we are passionate about the work that we do and want to make a real difference to people’s lives.
“It is therefore really important to me that the staff team feel supported and well equipped to do their jobs, and hopefully to enjoy work as much as possible.”
While she doesn’t have any connections to Laois, she said that she really likes the county.
“Myself and my husband wanted to move out of Dublin and we somehow landed here. We have two daughters, both attending the Gaelscoil in Portlaoise.
“I have served on the Parents’ Council for three years and am keen to support initiatives like the cycle bus that is being rolled out. We are also involved in GAA, through the Timahoe ladies’ club. I sit on the committee for Portlaoise Musical Society also.”
Laois is, she said, a county that continues to surprise her. “We have so many hidden gems in the county, from local historical sites to our beautiful walks and vistas and I think we are starting to get better at promoting what we can offer in terms of tourism and food production.
“We also have a really good arts and music scene and I have made many friends from those types of pursuits.
“In the past 14 years I have seen the county become more diverse and welcoming and have seen first-hand how that is enhancing our community life.
“I am excited to see how we can continue to develop as a county and to steer Laois Partnership Company to creatively respond and support this development.”
*To find out more about Laois Partnership, visit its Facebook page or phone its head office on 057 8661900.
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