Women from the Magdalene Laundries

We were moved to hear the Taoiseach’s acknowledgement at last of the suffering and harm done to the women who were in the Magdalene Laundries.  We hope that now a process of healing can begin.   We know that many, if not most of the women fleeing the regime, fled to the UK.

icap has worked over many years with women who are survivors of the laundries, as well as other survivors of institutional abuse.   In our experience shame and secrecy are key issues.   Many of those who left the laundries never told their partners or families, and so there is now a need to support the women, whose painful feelings about the past may be reactivated by the current publicity, and their families who may be feeling the impact of this for the first time.   Dealing with these feelings is difficult, painstaking work.

An independent study by Professor Peter Fonagy recognised icap’s expertise and efficacy in assisting people suffering the emotional trauma arising from these very difficult early lives.

icap therapists have years of experience in providing culturally and client sensitive psychotherapy to people dealing with these issues.   If you know anyone affected, please direct them to icap, since we are best placed to help them.

icap’s 6^th Annual Dinner & Auction has record turnout and raises c £25,000!

icap would like to extend a huge thank you to all of our amazing supporters and welcome so many new faces who joined us at our 6^th Annual Dinner & Auction last Friday, February 22^nd 2013 at the Honourable Artillery Company in London.

The venue lent itself perfectly to the affable and generous guests who started the evening with a drinks reception and close up magician.

The evening was followed by a sumptuous 4 course dinner with wine as guests joined in several games with freebies and goodie bags galore!

With a record number of guests filling the room to capacity, we were honoured to have both Ambassador Bobby McDonagh and founder and Honorary President of icap Teresa Gallagher speak to the guests and reaffirm the wonderful work icap therapists, staff, volunteers and committees carry out to assist people in turning their lives around through psychotherapy.

Thanks to everyone’s generosity on the night we raised c£25,000, our highest amount ever, which is something to be extremely proud of as it represents not only our growing base of support but also the commitment of people to helping those who really need it.

Photographs of the evening can be found here, our thanks to Jacqui McSweeney.

We would like to especially thank all those who supported us on the night by donating auction and raffle items so generously to include:

Arbro Limited
Castlemartyr Resort & Spa, Cork
Dukes of Mayfair, London
Harlequins Rugby Club
Jenny McCarthy of Venty Beach
L’Oreal
Law Offices of Janice A Flynn
London Irish Rugby Club
Michael Flaherty and The Barbara Stanley Art Gallery, London
Orla Kiely
Pedham Place Golf Centre
PJ’s Bar & Grill, London
River Lee Hotel Cork (part of the Doyle Collection)
The Marbella Club, Spain
The Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt Hotel, Wicklow
The Vineyard, Berkshire (and GP Associates)

The Nessa O’Neill Award

Congratulations to Teresa Gallagher, icap Founder who was presented with the Women’s Irish Network Nessa O’Neill award. This was in recognition of Teresa’s innovative and inspirational contribution she has made to the work of icap. The award was presented at the Irish Youth Foundation & WIN drinks reception hosted by the Irish Embassy on Monday 12^th November 2012. We were delighted to share in this special evening for Teresa.

We would also like to thank the Irish Youth Foundation for their continued and generous support to icap.

Hibernian Hero Award

We are delighted to announce our long standing volunteer Jean Smullen has been nominated to receive the Irish Youth Foundation’s inaugural Hibernian Hero Award. The aim of this award is to highlight the vital work carried out by organisations serving Irish youngsters across Britain and we are delighted Jean and icap have been recognised in this way.  The Irish Post readers are voting for the winner, please could you take the time to place your vote.

Please click here to register your vote for Jean.

Sponsor a Room

We are delighted to report that John Kennedy from the John Kennedy Charitable Foundation has very kindly  sponsored one of our therapy rooms in our London centre. The John Kennedy Charitable Foundation is our first Sponsor a Room recipient and this plaque represents a whole year of psychotherapy sessions in this room for our clients.

icap would like to thank John most sincerely for his belief in and support of the crucial and beneficial work we are doing on a daily basis to change people’s lives for the better.

London Training – 22nd September 2012

Michael Ridge from Haringey Travelling People’s Team will be speaking. The seminar will examine the therapeutic needs of members of the Gypsy, Roma and Travelling communities.

For further information click here or contact Maria@icap.org.uk  020 7272 7906

Thank you to all who attended the official launch of icap’s ‘Coming Home to Ourselves’ Report by Professor Peter Fonagy and the Anna Freud Centre, hosted by Ambassador Bobby McDonagh at the Irish Embassy in London on the 13^th June.  The evening was a celebration of the fantastic achievements icap has made and the difference it continues to make to the lives of so many people. 

 icap also honoured its Founder and Honorary President Teresa Gallagher on the night. A special presentation was made by the Ambassador to thank Teresa for her unwavering commitment to icap and ensuring its roll in supporting the Irish community across the UK. 

Colin McNicholas presenting Teresa Gallagher with Belleek jewellery. Photo by Malcolm McNally - The Irish Post

Research Launch

icap, the main provider of psychotherapy to the Irish community in the UK, is launching the results of an independent evaluation of its therapy services.  The research, conducted by Professor Peter Fonagy and the Anna Freud Centre, proved that icap’s therapy improved significantly its clients’ mental health through reducing:

• symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder
• self-harming behaviours
• drug and alcohol misuse
• depression and anxiety

The Irish Ambassador to the UK, Bobby McDonagh, is hosting the official British launch of this research at the Irish Embassy on Wednesday 13^th June, 6.30pm.

The full report is available to download here and an executive summary is  also available here.

Annual Dinner 2012.

Thank you to all those who attended our Annual Dinner at the Painters Hall on Friday 24th February 2012.

Guests were entertained by a fabulous magician during the drinks reception and enjoyed talented Katie Crean playing the Harp over dinner.  Chris Sheasby kindly compared the evening and led our auction and raffle with lots of fabulous items on offer.  The night raised nearly £12,000 which goes directly to helping vulnerable people get the support they need.

To see pictures of the evening visit the events page here.

We have teamed up with the Irish Post to offer one lucky reader a chance to win to a pair of tickets to our Annual Dinner worth £250!

Our 5th Annual icap Dinner & Auction is being held on Friday, February 24 at the historic Painters Hall in London (EC4V 2AD).

To be in with a chance to win simply answer the following question:

Where is this year’s icap dinner being held?

Entries can be sent to: icap competition, The Irish Post, c/o Loot Limited, Suite A, Lindsey Street, Smithfield, London EC1A 9HP or email competitions@irishpost.co.uk This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 You can visit the Irish Post website to find out more.

Entries to be received by Monday, February 13th 2012.  Draw to take place on Tuesday, February 14th 2012

Thank you to all those who attended yet another fun-filled race night at the Crown Moran Hotel in Cricklewood on Friday 11^th November.  Our guests had a wonderful evening placing their bets and collecting their winnings, whilst also helping to raise over £3,000 for icap.  We enjoyed a delicious Irish stew and listened to the exceptional talent of Morrissey & Marshall.  The funds raised from the evening will help provide therapy sessions to help rebuild shattered lives.

Photos will be coming soon.

Donate online! You can now donate money to icap via Virgin Giving. Click here to visit the Virgin Giving icap page.

Take part in survey – Irish Community in London…

The London Irish Centre are conducting a “Community Needs Analysis” of the Irish Community in London.

To complete their survey please visit the London Irish Centre’s website www.londonirishcentre.org or www.surveymonkey.com/s/irishinlondon2011 by 28th August 2011.

Feis 2011 - photos are here!

On the 18 June 2011, icap, in association with the Vince Power Media Group, was delighted to host an exclusive VIP Marquee at the newly launched Irish music festival, Feis 2011, in Finsbury Park, London.
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It was a fantastic day, with a great line-up of musicians – a full account and pictures of the event will be posted on here soon!
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Thank you to everyone who bought tickets – we will be able to let you know how much you helped us to raise for icap shortly.