Sarah Jane Hennelly
I am originally from Castlebar, County Mayo. I came to UL to study Politics in 2006. I graduated with a Masters in European Integration in 2012. In 2011, I was elected Postgraduate Student’s Union President. I worked with students representing their interests on 20+ boards and committees across the campus. After this, I spent 2 years as a research assistant in the Graduate Entry Medical School working on projects in mental health, general practice and public health.
In 2014 I stood as an independent candidate in the local elections for Limerick City East. Since then, I have worked primarily in the city centre community & voluntary sector. I was manager of MyMind, a community-based mental health and well-being service before commencing in PAUL Partnership as Community Development officer from January 2016. In PAUL, I worked with community-based groups from disadvantaged communities on growth and development, advising on governance, recruitment, funding, HR and research.
I was a founding member of the Social Democrats political party, standing as the party’s first General Election candidate for Limerick city in 2016. I drove the establishment of the city’s first branch, now with 30 active members locally. I was elected the party’s National Chairperson in 2016. I chair the National executive committee & the National council made up of 60 delegates from across the country. My role involves strategic oversight in membership growth, fundraising, party development and constitutional interpretation.
I am a director of Garryowen Community Development Committee and Limerick Mental Health Association.
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