The first weekend of the two-week Roots and Shoots: Gaisce Gold Residential kicked off at Gaisce HQ in Ratra House, Phoenix Park, from 9th – 11th January 2026. Sixteen young people from all over Ireland joined us from across Ireland, including Meath, Roscommon, Offaly, Dublin, and Westmeath. This group of young people brought an infectious energy and set the tone for an unforgettable weekend.
The Gold Residential is often a highlight of the Gold Award journey for Gaisce Participants. It’s an opportunity to step out of your comfort zone, meet new people and take on new challenges during a 5-day 4-night stay in unfamiliar surroundings. As part of the Roots and Shoots partnership between Gaisce and Student Volunteer Ireland, we are able to facilitate two Residential weekends for Gaisce Gold Participants in Dublin and Galway focusing on workshops and activities centred around Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how to make our world a more just and sustainable place.
Roots and Shoots, supported by Irish Aid, is a programme designed for third-level students who want to connect local actions with global change and play an active role in creating a fairer, more sustainable world.
The weekend was packed with thought-provoking workshops and activities designed to challenge perspectives and ignite ideas. We welcomed Charlotte Bishop from STAND, who explored “What If” scenarios through active exercises to train our Radical Imagination. Áine O’Driscoll from Trócaire discussed Global and Climate Justice, alongside Hussein Noor, a Resilience Officer in Somalia, who shared valuable insights from his experience. Vicky Donnelly from Financial Justice Ireland led activities focused on Justice and Solidarity, encouraging critical reflection on the UN Sustainable Development Goals and collective action for change.
One standout moment was the Show & Tell session, where participants shared stories from their Community Involvement Challenge Area. We heard reflections on the challenges they took on and the impact they’ve made in their communities.
Beyond the workshops, the group explored the beautiful Phoenix Park, played board games, and, most importantly, built friendships that will last well beyond the Residential.
Next weekend, the 16th – 18th January, the young people will head to Galway to continue their journey with more team bonding, project work, and engaging sessions. They’ll dive deeper into the Sustainable Development Goals, social activism, and the impact of volunteering on both local and global levels.