Blog
27 November 2025
Celebrating our Dovida Caregivers: Highlights from our Caregiver Conference
by Kim Moore
General Manager, Dovida Dublin South East
Earlier this month, our caregiving community came together for a powerful and uplifting conference designed to shine a light on the value of being a Caregiver while highlighting the career opportunities caregiving has to offer.
The event was created to celebrate our Caregivers. Presentations were given by Caregivers to Caregivers – a reminder that no one understands the challenges and rewards of this work better than those who live it every day.
The idea for this conference was one that Miriam Malone (General Manager of Dovida Fairview) and I imagined after sponsoring a similar event. Experiencing first-hand the energy, pride, and sense of community it created, we felt strongly that Dovida Caregivers deserved the same investment. This conference was our way of giving back to the people who give so much of themselves to help people in their community.
We were also grateful for the tremendous support we received from National Office, with several members attending on the day. A special thank you goes to our CEO, Shane Jennings, who came to welcome Caregivers and acknowledge the significance of hosting our very first Caregiver Conference – a milestone we are incredibly proud of.
The day featured four presentations delivered by our own team members, each focused on strengthening skills and celebrating the meaningful work caregivers do.
Our first session centred on Kitchen Assessment Training, equipping Caregivers with the basics of food preparation and kitchen safety. From adapting tasks to supporting clients with varying needs, this training demonstrated how thoughtful meal preparation enhances both independence and wellbeing.
The second presentation highlighted Teamwork and Community, framed around celebrating the retirement of a cherished colleague. It reminded us that caregiving is a shared journey built on trust, encouragement, and mutual respect.
Our third session introduced the new Grassroots Focus Group, created to bring Caregivers together to represent and be a collective voice for their colleagues. This initiative marks an exciting step toward empowering Caregivers to shape the future of our service.
The fourth presentation looked toward the future with a discussion on The Role of AI in Health Care, exploring how technology can support Caregivers, streamline communication, and improve client outcomes, while reinforcing that compassion and human connection remain irreplaceable.
Caring for Caregivers is essential
We were honoured to welcome two inspiring guest speakers. Laura Fergus from Inner Harmony Health reminded us of the importance of caring for ourselves physically, mentally, and nutritionally so that we can continue to provide the best care possible. Cormac from Siel Blue brought energy and movement to the day, teaching us simple exercises we can do with clients to support their functional strength and confidence.
As we wrapped up the event, one message rang clear: caring for Caregivers is essential. Our hope is that this first gathering becomes the foundation for future events, with each region hosting its own annual Caregiver Conference to celebrate, support, and grow our community.