Suzanne Roche of Gateway to Education Limerick honoured with national award

Suzanne Roche circular living champion of Gateway to Education Limerick honoured with national award

Limerick circular living champion Suzanne Roche of Gateway to Education Limerick honoured with national award

Suzanne Roche, a Limerick champion of circular living, was honoured at the Circular.ie Full Circle Awards held in the Aviva Stadium on Wednesday, September 24.

Suzanne Roche, CEO of Gateway to Education Limerick (GTEL), was a runner-up in the Best Community Campaign category, which shine a light on the best campaigns that circular economy community groups are running in Ireland.

Gateway to Education Limerick provides secondhand school essentials, such as school books, reading books, clothing, and uniforms, at a nominal fee to support parents with the cost of sending their children to school and children who struggle with homework activities. They also send surplus books to developing countries, where books are scarce and very expensive, to help open the door to knowledge. 

They run a “Go Do It” project focussed on adult education and empowering people to learn new skills, grow in confidence and gain workplace experience. Finally, their Fun Learning Club is a source of academic assistance and a welcoming community that encourages students to reach their goals.

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As CEO of GTEL, Suzanne has pioneered a unique model that blends education access with circular economy practices. Under her leadership, donated stock is repurposed for social good. Suzanne said, “enabling families to access affordable schoolbooks, volunteers to gain skills, and people with disabilities to find opportunities is the driving force behind everything we do.” 

The judging panel paid tribute to Suzanne’s vision, which has grown GTEL into a community hub that reduces waste, fosters inclusion, and demonstrates that circularity and equity are essential to building a fairer, greener future. 

This is the first year of the Full Circle Awards, created by Circular.ie to spotlight people and projects that demonstrate what circular living looks like, and celebrate the big impact that individuals and communities throughout Ireland, including in Limerick, are creating by making circular living part of their everyday lives in practical ways.

Speaking about the Full Circle Awards, Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment with special responsibility for the Circular Economy, Alan Dillon TD said, ‘These awards highlight how people across Ireland are making a real difference in their community by embracing and promoting circular living in their daily lives. They also act as inspiration to others, creating momentum throughout the country.” 

The event in the Aviva also celebrated the launch of Circular.ie — Ireland’s new national platform designed to help people in Limerick reduce waste, get more from the things they already have, save money, and build thriving local communities through circular living. 

Developed by The Rediscovery Centre, in collaboration with the Department of Climate, Energy and Environment and other stakeholders working in this area, Circular.ie offers practical tools, guidance, and inspiration for anyone in Limerick looking to live more sustainably — from reusing and repairing to sharing and repurposing.

Increasing awareness and engagement with the circular economy is a key goal of the Circular.ie platform, which aims to simplify the concept of circularity and show how everyday choices can lead to meaningful change. Recent research by Circular.ie shows that while awareness of the term “circular economy” is growing, many people still see it as a business or government activity and not as something they can personally get involved with. 

Announcing Circular.ie, which includes the new online platform and a public engagement programme, CEO of The Rediscovery Centre, which is spearheading the project, Claire Downey said, “Circular living is all around us. Our mapping has identified brilliant initiatives all across the country and a growing interest from communities to get more involved, including in Limerick. Circular.ie is about meeting people where they are at and providing practical steps and support for them to get started or go that bit further.”