About Us

Northstar Family Support Project supports families in the Limerick City & County region affected by substance misuse. We offer information, practical support, and guidance in a confidential and non-judgemental environment to help people understand their situation and explore available supports.

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.

History

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 & County region.

Partnerships

Our Supporters

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.

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.

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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

About Us