TEAM Project – NEWKD

🌟 TEAM Project – Together Everyone Achieves More 🌟TEAM Project

The TEAM Project is a specialised Community Employment Programme sponsored by NEWKD and supported by the Southern Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force (SRDATF). Since 2017, TEAM has been supporting people in recovery from addiction to rebuild their lives, develop new skills, strengthen their wellbeing, and reconnect with their communities.

Recovery is about much more than overcoming addiction. It is about creating opportunities, building confidence, developing positive routines, and discovering a new future. TEAM provides a safe, supportive and non-judgemental environment where participants can focus on their recovery while working towards education, training, employment and personal goals.

Located in Tralee, TEAM works closely with addiction treatment and rehabilitation services throughout Kerry to ensure participants receive the support they need at every stage of their recovery journey.

Our Vision

We believe that every person has the potential to achieve positive change when provided with the right opportunities, encouragement and support.

The TEAM Project offers a calm, structured environment where people in recovery can build strong foundations for the future, develop practical life skills, and become active members of their communities.

The name TEAM stands for Together Everyone Achieves More, reflecting our belief that recovery is strengthened through connection, support, shared experiences and collective achievement.

Our Aims

Each participant follows an individual learning and development plan designed around their personal goals and aspirations.

The programme aims to:

Encourage positive health and wellbeing.
Build confidence, resilience and life skills.
Promote positive recovery and social inclusion.
Provide access to education and accredited training.
Support participants in developing personal and vocational goals.
Create pathways to further education and employment.
Facilitate meaningful community participation.

Building a Recovery Community

One of the unique strengths of the TEAM Project is the opportunity for participants to become part of a positive recovery community.

Many people entering recovery have experienced isolation, damaged relationships and a loss of connection with others. Through group learning, social activities, peer support, community events and shared experiences, participants develop meaningful friendships and supportive networks that encourage lasting recovery.

For many participants, this sense of belonging becomes one of the most important elements of their recovery journey.

Education, Training and Personal Development

TEAM offers a wide range of educational, personal development and wellbeing programmes that support participants in building confidence, learning new skills and developing healthier lifestyles.

Examples include:

Personal Development Programmes
Career Guidance and Further Education Supports
Creative Writing
Drama
Culinary Skills and Healthy Eating
Fitness and Physical Activity
Meditation and Mindfulness
Wellbeing Activities

Training opportunities are continually adapted to meet the needs, interests and progression goals of participants.

Positive Outcomes

Since its establishment, the TEAM Project has helped participants achieve life-changing outcomes through education, training, personal development and recovery support.

Participants have gone on to:

✅ Improve their physical and mental wellbeing

✅ Rebuild family relationships

✅ Develop lasting peer support networks

✅ Increase confidence, independence and self-esteem

✅ Secure employment

✅ Progress to further and higher education

✅ Gain accredited qualifications

✅ Start their own businesses

✅ Become active volunteers within their communities

Participant Progression

Current progression outcomes show that:

35% progressed into employment
29% progressed into further education or training
8% progressed to mainstream Community Employment schemes
3% opened their own business

Personal Progression and Recovery

Some of the most meaningful outcomes cannot always be measured by statistics.

Participants regularly report significant improvements in their quality of life, confidence, mental wellbeing and relationships. Many have successfully reconnected with family members, developed healthier lifestyles, taken up sports and recreational activities, become active within their communities, and built strong support networks that continue long after their participation on the programme ends.

These personal achievements demonstrate the transformative impact that recovery, opportunity and community support can have on people’s lives.

Creating Brighter Futures

Every success story within the TEAM Project demonstrates what can be achieved when individuals are given the opportunity, support and belief to reach their potential.

At NEWKD, we are proud to support a programme that continues to inspire hope, resilience and positive change for individuals, families and communities across Kerry.

TEAM Project in Pictures

Celebrating Sober Birthdays