Together Academy: ‘Our vision is clear – an Ireland where young adults with Down syndrome are accepted, respected, and included in the workforce’
Lizzie Gore-Grimes visits the Together Academy's state-of-the-art cafe and training centre in the heart of corporate Dublin to chat to three exceptional young women who have graduated through the Together Academy training programme and are advocating for young adults with Down syndrome to feel the pride and self-worth of “that first paycheck feeling.”
“Together Academy is a love story.
“It began with four mums of young children with Down syndrome who wanted a better future for their children. A future where they would be seen, heard, and valued for who they are – capable, vibrant individuals with something real to contribute.”
These are the powerful words of Together Academy co-founder Laura O’Neill, mum to Margot, who was part of the charity’s co-founding team led by Therese Coveney, mum to April, and joined by Edel Lynch, mum to Izzy, and the late Cathy Smith, mum to Alex.
Today, just six years after these four formidable mothers made a pact to better the lives for young adults with Down syndrome across Ireland, The Together Academy has become a force to be reckoned with. Since launching in 2019, they have set up a training centre and café at Wanderer’s Rugby Club in Ballsbridge, a vibrant partnership with the Happy Out Café in Dun Laoghaire and now, this October, are launching of a state-of-the-art new training facility at SMBC Aviation Capital (SMBC AC) HQ in Dublin.
Walking into the new Together Academy Café on the ground floor of the SMBC Aviation Capital building on Fitzwilliam Street (which is open to SMBC Aviation Capital staff, other tenants of Fitzwilliam 28 and invited guests) it’s impossible not to feel your mood lift. The space is a joy – floodlit with daylight and the beaming smiles of the Together Academy young adults buzzing around, making coffees, serving tables, joking with each other.
“There is magic at Together Academy, we instil joy into everything we do,” smiles Laura, a graphic designer by profession and the creative genius behind the Together Academy colour-drenched branding. “By creating communities for people with Ds to thrive and flourish in. We know that in the right environment and with the correct support, everyone can reach their potential.”
Magic. That’s the word. You can feel it. Particularly when you meet the founding force, Therese Coveney, and see how the students flock around her. She has an inner light and an energy that simply beams out of her. Suddenly, you can see how they have managed to achieve all that they have with the Together Academy.
And it doesn’t stop with the cafés. Beneath this beautiful building lies something special: a purpose-built training café and a world-class professional kitchen, created by Together Academy in partnership with SMBC Aviation Capital – facilities worthy of a Michelin-starred chef. It’s impressive. “This is where the students will put their theory into practice, as they rotate between different roles to complete their 2-year culinary training programme,” explains Therese.
“We’ve learnt that when you raise expectations and offer the right support, people don’t just rise to the occasion, they surpass it. And no one has proven this more than our students. They are the real changemakers. Every day, they challenge assumptions, they break down barriers, and they show what’s possible when the world makes room for everyone.”
Therese goes on to express the impact that this new training centre will have not only for Together Academy but on inclusion initiatives across Ireland. “This partnership, in a landmark building, in corporate Dublin, represents a brave path forward not just for us, but for inclusion in the workplace across Ireland – and we are hugely grateful for the leadership of SMBC Aviation Capital and the support of Pobal.”
“We all remember our first paycheck,” says Laura. “It was a defining moment in our emerging independence, our parents’ pride and our own sense of achievement. Everyone deserves that first-paycheck feeling.”
But, of course, it’s not just about the paycheck. A crucial part of the TA magic is the social and support network they create for their graduates and their community. Laura shared the results of a recent student survey with me, where 96% of their students reported they felt well supported in their learning journey and 94% said they felt less lonely since joining the programme. That “less-lonely” stat really hit me in the chest.
“Inclusivity and camaraderie are a key cornerstone of the Together Academy success story,” says Laura. “We want to create work opportunities for our young adults where they feel productive and successful, have fun with their workmates and, importantly, feel part of a team. This is a crucial part of building confidence, self-worth, and overall wellbeing – benefits that go well beyond the workplace.”
Therese finishes: “Our vision is clear: An Ireland where young adults with Down syndrome are accepted, respected, and included in the workforce. Traditionally, the narrative around disability in Ireland has been limited. But Ireland is changing, and Together Academy is very proud to be part of that change.”
Katie Fitzpatrick, 22
Barista, Together Academy Cafe, SMBC AC
My name is Katie. I’m from Ireland and I live with my mum, my dad and my sister, Lola. She’s younger than me. We’re very close.
I went to St Augustine’s in Blackrock. Growing up in Ireland was good. Sometimes things can be a bit overwhelming, especially loud noises like fire drills, but I like it here. I think Ireland could do a bit more to help people with disabilities, mostly by listening more and giving families and carers more support.
When I got my first job, I was so excited. I felt proud of myself. Together Academy helped me get ready for work. I learned to make coffee and to be independent. I like learning new stuff and doing things on my own.
Now I work as a barista at SMBC AC Café with Together Academy. I make coffees, take orders, clean tables and bring drinks to customers. I love my job. My favourite coffee to make is a cappuccino. I’m very good at my job and I can do everything in the café now.
My favourite part of work is my friends. The customers are really nice too, SMBC are awesome! When I got my first paycheck, I was excited. I wanted to save it and buy something important.
Having a job has changed my life. I feel happy, very happy. I have more friends now and I feel different, in a good way. I feel professional, confident and proud of myself. I’ve also learned to manage change better since I started working.
My advice for other young women with Down syndrome is to be independent. Work hard, learn new skills and make new friends.
If you’re new to Together Academy, welcome! You’ll learn so much here. I want everyone to be independent and happy.
For my future, I want to stay in my job. It makes me happy, and that’s the most important thing.
Orla recently took part in a college ice breaker session. It was a game of ‘Would You Rather…” Orla was asked would you rather be a bird or be invisible? Orla replied: I would be a bird; I am already invisible.
Orla Casey, 27
Office Assistant, JLL and Secretary of The National Advisory Council (NAC)
Hi, my name is Orla. I live in Dublin. I love to make coffee and cook. I am into TV and film. I love to act and have been in several short films and RTÉ’s Clean Sweep. I like writing and being an advocate for people with Down syndrome. Marie Doyle Kennedy is my favourite actress because she is a good advocate too. I also look up to James Martin as the first person with Down syndrome to win an Oscar.
When I got my first job, I was really proud of myself. At the start, I wasn’t sure, I was a bit nervous about going through the interview process. But I got a fantastic job at JLL, a real estate company, and the Together Academy helped me to get in. Now I’ve been working there for two years.
Together Academy supported me and helped me to become more hard-working, both there and in my job. They taught me job-ready skills, computer skills and how to be more hands-on. That support helped me to feel confident and ready for the workplace.
I work at JLL on Thursdays. When I arrive, I go up to the third floor where the JLL office is. I look at the schedule to see what I’m doing for the day, then I get started. One of my favourite parts of the job is doing the post run. I bring mail to each floor, and I enjoy it because I get to meet new people and see who works there. I’m trying to get out of my comfort zone because I have anxiety, but this helps me to keep meeting new people.
I really love hanging out with my co-workers and getting to know them. My friend and co-worker Mark just had a baby, and I’m happy for him because he has someone to love even more, apart from his wife. It’s nice to feel part of a team and to have that community at work.
I still remember getting my first paycheck. I don’t think anyone could have been prouder than me that day. I was so excited and happy. I wanted to save it and spend it on something important.
Since starting work, I’ve learned that even though I have anxiety, I can get out of my comfort zone. I’m proud of myself for that because it’s not always easy. But step by step, I did it.
I also work on the National Advisory Council for Down Syndrome Ireland as the minute secretary. I use my iPad to take notes and record our meetings. It’s important because we talk about real issues like education, mental health, transport and voting. My proudest moment was when we visited the Dáil and met Simon Harris and Simon Coveney for lunch.
Having a job has made me more independent. I travel by bus to work on my own now, with no help or assistance. It feels really good to do that.
My advice for other young women with Down syndrome is to have determination and motivation. Don’t be afraid of who you are, embrace it. Work hard and once you reach your goals, think about what comes next.
In the future, I hope to keep a steady job, maybe try acting or work in a café or an office. I’d like to settle down one day, get married and maybe have a family. To everyone reading this, please don’t exclude people with Down syndrome. Include us. We just want to be seen and respected as people, the same as anyone else.
Chrissy Maccelari, 28
Barista, Artizan Café, SMBC Aviation Capital
I was born in Africa but we live in Ballybrack. I live with my Mum, her husband, my sister Melanie, my brother Daniel and our lovely, cute pets. My siblings and I are good friends but we do fight sometimes. I have three sisters and two brothers. I have cute pets too and I think of the people at my respite as family too.
I loved school, and sometimes I worked in the canteen. I think Ireland is very safe and welcoming for people with Ds and for everybody. I feel that I am listened to and I have had some good opportunities but I would like more work and educational opportunities.
When I got my job in Artizan Café (upstairs in the SMBC AC building), it was amazing, I was so happy. I love working at Artizan. I like being a Barista and serving the food. I like being part of the team. I love the manager, Adrian, and I really enjoy the fast pace. My working day is busy. I arrive on time, first I help make sandwiches, then I clean and we put everything away. Then at lunchtime I serve the food.
Together Academy helped me a lot. I learnt a lot about culinary skills in my modules, including using sharp knives correctly. Learning new skills and making new friends and coming to SMBC AC after graduating was amazing. I like learning about warming food correctly and I love, love, love the coffee!
Since I have started working, I have learnt about being punctual. I have tried hard to be on time and I am working on my confidence. I can do it. I think having a job has changed my life. I help out more at home with chores and stuff and I am so proud of myself. I feel happy and delighted but there is one thing I need to work on, not to eat too many treats when I am at work.
To give advice to someone else with Ds who would like to get a job, I would ask them what job they would like and I would tell them to dress professionally. I would also tell them about punctuality. And that there is a lot to learn in a job, but you can do this.
My dream for the future is to apply to a cookery or baking college. I want to make healthy foods. My favourite part of my job is serving my friend Katie Fitzpatrick but I also like to tell people about the allergens in food. I am interested in that. It makes me happy when I see lots of lovely people and I serve them with a smile.
Ways you can support Together Academy and ensure a purposeful day for our young adults
1. Support our work and help us to make sure our students are trained and ready for the workforce. Book a team lunch in our training cafe in Ballsbridge. Email cafe@togetheracademy.ie for more information.
2. Book a Diversity and Inclusion workshop and have us cater it. Email kate@togetheracademy.ie.
3. Make a donation and help us ensure a purposeful day for our young adults.
4. Sponsor a young adult with Down syndrome in a paid role in one of our cafés.
5. Host a sponsored sports event and have your company match your team’s fundraised amount. We will support your event and ensure some extra fun and joy for all involved.
Email info@togetheracademy.ie for more information, togetheracademy.ie.
Photography by Amber O’Shea.
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