Stories of Hope and Recovery go on tour at Limerick Bus Station

  • Photo exhibition from Grow Mental Health features stories of recovery and hope
  • Exhibition on display at Limerick Bus Station for two weeks

Photo from l to r: Michael Crowe, from Grow Mental Health Midwest Region, Brian Connolly, Bus Éireann Regional Operations Manager, West, and Bus Éireann driver Anita Kurucz.

Expressway, Ireland’s premium inter-regional coach service has partnered up with Grow Mental Health to raise awareness of mental health issues. Customers will see a photo exhibition with stories of recovery and hope in the bus station in Limerick. The display started in early October in Busáras, Dublin and moved to Waterford, Cork and Galway Bus Stations before moving to Limerick this week and will move to other regional locations over the coming weeks. This partnership initiative is to promote positive mental health and raise vital funds for Grow Mental Health, the non-profit group.

As one of Ireland’s longest standing mental health charities, empowering and supporting over 1,000 people weekly, Grow Mental Health which was set up in 1969, has recorded a 400% year on year increase in demand for services since the pandemic began. Delivering a national unique peer-to-peer support to local communities through a tailored 12-Step Recovery and Growth program, the group is delighted with the launch of this exhibition, documenting its members’ stories, of hope and recovery.

Proudly supported by Expressway, the initiative will be promoted right across the bus stations and through Expressway social media channels over the coming weeks, with the public asked to read the stories of recovery and hope around mental health and to donate to Grow Mental Health – these donations will help people who are struggling at this difficult time.

Michael Crowe, Area Co-ordinator Grow Mental Health Midwest Region said:“Our mental health has never before been put to the test like it has been over the last 20 months. We don’t want anyone to feel alone if they are struggling. Sometimes just talking to someone who understands can be the first step to feeling better. Our members see first-hand the positive effect sharing their stories has in our weekly groups. This exhibition gives us the opportunity to share just some of our stories with the wider public, illustrating how things can and do get better”.

Brian Connolly, Bus Éireann Regional Operations Manager, West, said; “We are delighted to partner up with Grow Mental Health and display their member’s stories of recovery and hope in our Bus Station in Limerick. Christmas can be one of the most difficult times of the year for people struggling with their mental health and we would encourage all of our Limerick customers to take a minute and read these empowering stories of recovery and hope when in our bus station over the coming weeks. The photo exhibition started in Busáras in Dublin and moved to Waterford, Cork and has now moved to Galway and Limerick for two weeks and other bus locations over the coming weeks. We are hoping to create wide-spread awareness of the campaign messaging across our bus stations and social media channels and raise much needed funds for our partners in Grow Mental Health.”

For further information about the partnership or the services provided by Grow Mental Health visit www.grow.ie

The Grow Mental Health Infoline can be reached on 0818 474 474

Thursday, 2nd December, 2021