A programme aimed at helping first responders and their loved ones have meaningful conversations about mental health before challenges reach crisis point has been announced as the first social enterprise spin-out from RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences.

HUGS Community was originally established within the RCSI SIM Centre for Simulation Education and Research as the HUGS@Home research programme and funded by Movember. Since its launch, the programme has reached approximately 650 primary participants from frontline services across Ireland.

Studies have shown that frontline workers are at a higher risk of mental health difficulties (such as anxiety, depression and PTSD) than the general population. The programme uses simulation-enhanced psychological first aid training to equip families and friends with the practical skills to recognise early signs of stress and mental health difficulties.

This is particularly vital for families of first responders, as they are often the first to notice changes in their loved-one's well-being but may be uncertain as to what to say and how to support them.

The name HUGS represents the programmes core principles: hearing, understanding, guiding and supporting.

As demand for the programme grew, it became clear that an independent organisation was needed to scale its impact while maintaining a clear distinction between RCSI-led research and operational programme delivery. With the support and guidance of the RSCI Innovation team, HUGS Community was subsequently established as a profit-with-purpose social enterprise, becoming RCSI's first approved social enterprise spin-out, supported by an RCSI licence to the underlying intellectual property, creating a platform to expand its reach nationally and internationally.

Led by Michelle O'Toole and Brian Doyle based at RCSI’s Health Professions Education Centre, HUGS Community is continuing its mission to strengthen the social support networks surrounding frontline personnel by promoting proactive early intervention, resilience and community support.

HUGS Community currently comprises three programme strands:

• HUGS@Home – for the families and friends of frontline personnel.
• HUGS Frontline – for frontline personnel and teams.
• HUGS Advocates – for leaders, educators, mental health professionals, policy-makers and organisational representatives who influence frontline well-being and workplace culture.

The organisation has now been recognised with a win and a nomination at the inaugural Blue Light Awards, which celebrate excellence across Ireland's emergency and frontline services.

HUGS Community was nominated for the Innovation & Operational Excellence Award, recognising its development from the RCSI-led HUGS@Home research programme into a scalable social enterprise model. The nomination reflects the programme's innovative co-designed approach that places families, friends and communities at the centre of frontline well-being.

HUGS Community CEO and co-lead, Michelle O'Toole, won the Most Influential Person of the Year category, recognising her leadership in developing HUGS@Home and HUGS Community and her advocacy for support of frontline workers family and support networks.

Speaking on the award, she said: "It is a huge honour to be shortlisted alongside leaders from across Ireland's frontline services. This work has given us the opportunity to contribute to well-being and system-level change across paramedicine and the emergency services, something that I am extremely passionate about as a former first responder and a family member. We are very grateful for the support we have received through RCSI, Social Entrepreneurs Ireland, Rethink Ireland, Inner City Enterprise, the Dublin City Social Enterprise awards and Social Enterprise Republic of Ireland. Sustainable social impact is only possible through strong collaborations."

To find out more, visit the HUGS Community website or connect on LinkedIn.