Walk in My Shoes (WIMS) celebrated students from across Ireland for their efforts in promoting positive mental health in their schools at our Mission Possible awards ceremony.
We hold our Mission Possible school achievement awards every year to showcase the meaningful work schools are undertaking to foster positive mental health and wellbeing in classrooms and communities across Ireland.
The awards ceremony for the 2024 competition took place on 12 February 2025 in St Patrick’s University Hospital in Dublin 8, with winners receiving a €1,000 prize, a WIMS School Ambassador role and a specialist WIMS School Support Package. Runners-up also received prize money of €500.
Innovative entries to 2024 competition
For our 2024 competition, we invited primary schools, secondary schools and Further Education Training (FET) centres (including Youthreach) to showcase a mental health and wellbeing initiative on our School Portal and to suggest an event, activity or initiative they would organise with the prize money.
Some of the ideas submitted to Mission Possible included awareness initiatives like wellbeing weeks, diversity weeks, Stand Up Week, Thriving Thursdays and a Self-Expression Uniform Day; resources like a Let It Out booklet and a student support booklet; activities like a Mentoring Wheel; and other projects like nurture rooms, sensory gardens and a Senior-to-Junior Mentoring Programme.
Impressed judging panel
The judging panel joined shortlisted students and teachers at the awards ceremony. Judges included Paul Gilligan, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at St Patrick’s Mental Health Services (SPMHS); Sinéad Smith, teacher in SPMHS’ Willow Grove Adolescent Unit; and Trish Harrington, Guidance Counsellor in St Patrick’s Cathedral Grammar School.
Speaking about the significance of the awards, teacher Sinéad Smith said: “I am delighted to once again be part of the judging panel for the Mission Possible school achievement awards and for the opportunity to see some of the incredible work being done by schools across the country.”
“Mission Possible recognises the vital role schools play in reaching young people and fostering their social, emotional, psychological and physical wellbeing."
"Wellbeing and learning go hand in hand, and everyone in the school community has a role to play in supporting youth mental health and the wellbeing of all its members."
2024 winners and runners-up
The winners and runners-up were announced at the ceremony across the categories below: congratulations to all who took home prizes, and thank you to every school, teacher and student that took part in Mission Possible!
Primary school category
Winner: St Clare's National School, County Cavan.
St Clare’s submission was around a Self-Expression Day, where the children dress in a way that allows them to express their identities, define themselves as unique individuals and portray their true selves on the day.
Runner-up: St Seachnall's National School, County Meath.
St Seachnall’s entered their Sunflower Project. This programme includes a nurture room and sensory spaces, including a sensory garden, all designed to create an inclusive and supportive environment that fosters the wellbeing and development of every student.
Secondary school category
Winner: Coláiste Muire Ballymote, County Sligo.
Coláiste Muire entered a wellbeing initiative which deepens collaborations with their Student Council and student body. This includes setting up art signposting areas which will serve as daily reminders for the importance of mental health and self-care; introducing information boards which showcase supports in the school community and beyond; and installing a new greenhouse to offer another wellbeing space for students and contribute to sustainability.
Runner-up: Catherine McAuley School, County Limerick.
Catherine McAuley School showed how they have set up The Creative Righters Club which carries out initiatives which focus on doing the right thing. The school also created a Take A Moment Mind Yourself (TAMMY) Zone for young people in the school to go to regulate themselves and take some time out. They are hoping to introduce a massage chair, lava lamp, scented diffuser, sensory toys and more to the zone.
FET centres (including Youthreach) category
Winner: Kilkenny Youthreach, County Kilkenny.
Kilkenny Youthreach is aiming to enhance the wellbeing of young people there by developing a sensory room and adding gym equipment. The sensory room would include audio equipment like soothing sound machines and interactive speakers for music therapy, as well as visual equipment such as mood lighting and projectors for calming displays. Gym equipment like treadmills, stationary bikes, resistance bands, free weights and stability balls would benefit students as regular exercise is known to release endorphins, which can improve mood and reduce feelings of depression and anxiety. Together, these initiatives focus on improving mental health, physical health, and overall student engagement.
Runner-up: Pleasants Street Youthreach, Dublin 8.
At Pleasants Street Youthreach, each young person is assigned a mentor who meets with them weekly, bi-weekly, and as needed to provide support and that personal connection that can make all the difference in their life. The mentoring relationship provides a space where the young person’s needs can be recognised and support, resources, and so on can be accessed. A Mentoring Wheel poster is on display in the main hall to show all the areas addressed in mentoring sessions and to be clearly visible to all students, staff, and visitors.
