It started with a simple frustration shared over too many cups of tea. As social care workers in Galway, we’d gather after long shifts—exhausted but buzzing with stories that rarely saw the light of day. “Why isn’t there a magazine that gets us?” we’d ask. One that captures the raw realities of frontline work, the policy battles, the quiet triumphs, and the unbreakable spirit of those who show up every day for the people who need them most. Then on the Social Care Worker Facebook page, an amazingly valuable resources, someone asked “Where you do get your information from? Where do you keep up with policy changes?” (or words that effect!). That question sparked Social Care Now, a passion project born from lived experience and a fierce belief in our profession.
The Spark That Ignited It All
The idea crystallised during a late-night in 2025. With eighteen years in social care services with companies like the Brothers of Charity and Ability West, I thought “Well, why not? I’ve a degree in journalism, let’s use it!” So, juggling content creation alongside direct support roles I started messing with a design. Teaming up with fellow practitioners who knew the sector, we saw a gap: publications talked about social care, but none spoke to us, with honesty, humour, and heart. No glossy overviews; we wanted reflections from residential homes, community outreach tales, student placement disasters (the funny ones), and sharp takes on legislation hitting our daily grind.
We sketched the vision on napkins: a free magazine for workers, students, managers, and advocates across Ireland. Issues packed with “A Day in the Life” stories, career pathways, policy breakdowns, and even biscuit-fueled chats (because what’s social care without a good digestives debate?). From those scribbles grew a mission to build community, amplify voices, and champion the dignity at care’s core.
Building the Dream Team
What makes Social Care Now special? The people. Our team isn’t outsiders peering in—they’re us. Frontline veterans who’ve navigated meltdowns and magic moments, educators shaping tomorrow’s workers, and creatives turning chaos into compelling reads. We’ve poured our expertise into every page: authentic interviews and practical advice.
Launch prep was pure grit—late edits, design tweaks over WhatsApp, and endless enthusiasm. We bootstrapped with WordPress, set up flipbook plugins for digital downloads, and crafted ad spaces to sustain the free print run. Challenges? Plenty! Balancing day jobs, navigating costs, ensuring GDPR-compliant privacy. But every hurdle fueled us forward.
Why Now? Why Us?
Ireland’s social care sector is evolving fast with new roles, training pushes and HIQA standards tightening. Workers need a hub that cuts through the noise, fostering recognition and resilience. Social Care Now hopes to fill that: informing on policy shifts, inspiring through real stories, and connecting a scattered community. Future plans? Nationwide vacancies, podcasts, workshops. For now, we’re launching with passion, ready to serve.
We’re not just a magazine; we’re a movement. Practitioners can submit their stories and advertisers can submit adverts – see the contact us page!
Welcome to Social Care Now. Your story starts here – let’s make care visible, together.
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