About Northstar Family Support Project
Northstar Family Support Project supports families and friends in the Limerick City & County region affected by drug and alcohol misuse. Our team works alongside families, offering guidance, education and practical support to help them navigate a loved one’s addiction with confidence and hope.
Commitment
Our Commitment
We work alongside families in a respectful and non-judgemental way. We listen to your needs and support you at a pace that feels right for you. We provide information and guidance when it is requested, and aim to help you make sense of your situation and the supports available.
We treat everyone with respect and dignity.
Who We Support
We support parents, grandparents, partners, siblings, adult children and anyone affected by a loved one’s drug or alcohol use. You do not need to be in crisis to access our services.
Northstar History
The Northstar Family Support Project was established in 2010 in response to the growing need for support for families affected by substance misuse.
At the time, drug use was becoming more visible among young people in communities across the northside of Limerick City. Many families felt uncertain about how to respond, while support services available to them were limited or did not meet their needs.
Northstar was established by parents and community campaigners in response to these challenges, with support from local drug education workers Sean Ward and Anita O’Shea, in conjunction with the Mid-West Regional Drug and Alcohol Forum.
The service later achieved charity status and began receiving annual funding from the HSE.
Over the years, the project has continued to grow and develop. Originally based on the northside of Limerick City, the service is now located in the city centre and supports families across the wider Limerick City & its environs.
Since our establishment, Northstar has become one of Limerick’s leading organisations providing family support services for people affected by addiction.
Governance
Governance
Northstar Family Support Project is committed to good practice in both our work and governance. The organisation complies with relevant Irish charity legislation and regulatory frameworks and works to maintain transparency and accountability across all areas of the service.
Audited accounts are prepared annually and approved at each AGM.
Strong governance ensures that our family support services in Limerick are delivered transparently, safely and effectively.
Northstar Family Support Project is registered with the Companies Registration Office (CRO No. 484661), the Charities Regulator (Registered Charity No. 20074135), and Revenue (CHY No. 19042). We are also committed to complying with the Statement of Guiding Principles for Fundraising.
We welcome feedback from participants and stakeholders as part of our ongoing work to improve the service.
Annual Reports
As part of our commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance, we publish our Annual Reports to provide an overview of our activities, impact, achievements, and financial performance.
Annual Report 2025
Download Annual Report (PDF)
Previous annual reports are available on request.
Participant Involvement
Northstar welcomes the involvement of former participants on the Board of Management and aims to include at least one former participant on the Board at all times.
To safeguard participants and avoid conflicts of interest, Board members who previously accessed support through Northstar or affiliated services must:
- not have accessed supports for at least two years
- have completed a personal development course, CASC, Family Support Training, or a relevant equivalent course available within the community sector in Limerick
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
At Northstar, we are committed to creating a fair, respectful and inclusive environment for everyone we work with and serve. We value diversity and actively promote equity by recognising and addressing barriers that prevent people from accessing opportunities, services or participation.
We do not tolerate discrimination, harassment or exclusion. We strive to ensure our governance, employment practices, volunteering opportunities and service delivery are accessible and inclusive for all, regardless of background or identity.
Our work is guided by a commitment to dignity, respect and equality, in line with equality legislation and our core organisational values.
Data Protection & Privacy
Data protection is the practice of safeguarding people’s privacy rights when their personal information is collected, processed, and stored. This statement explains how we collect information about you, how we use it, and how you can interact with us about it. Any personal information you provide will be subject to the highest standards of security and confidentiality, and strictly compliant with the Data Protection Act 2018 and General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).
Complaints & Feedback
We are committed to providing a quality service. If you have used our service and are dissatisfied with any part of it, we want to hear from you so we can put things right and improve. We confirm that
- Your complaint will be treated confidentially
- You will not be treated unfairly for raising a concern
- We will use feedback to improve our services
Partnerships
Our Supporters
Get in touch
Email Us
Opening Hours
Monday–Friday: 9am – 5pm
Evening appointments available upon request.
Premises
Hopeful House
28 John Street
Limerick
V94 K5N5
Ireland
Company Limited by Guarantee | Registered Charity number: 20074135