Help Lisa support community for another 20 years

Hello, My name is Susan Church. I have known Lisa for 20 years. Here is her story.

Introduction

The elbowroom was a prototype for a wellbeing center and for over 20 years has been a pillar of support for the community, providing wellbeing and services to locals, parents, new mothers, children, and many others. It has contributed to over 50 charities, trained numerous yoga instructors, and offered intervention services to over 2000 children with additional needs. This incredible work has been made possible by the unwavering dedication of Lisa Wilkinson, a true superwoman. Now, Lisa needs our help.

The Story

My name is Susan Church, and I have had the privilege of working with Lisa from the first week she opened The elbowroom in 2003. I have witnessed her tireless efforts and generosity firsthand and her dedication to the creation of a non dogmatic all inclusive community. It breaks my heart to know that she is currently facing mounting legal costs and struggling to keep her head above water. The past three years have been particularly challenging for Lisa. Not only did the lengthy and devastating COVID restrictions force the complete closure of The elbowroom, with no group classes allowed throughout, but Lisa also faced eviction from all five units she had painstakingly renovated on Brunswick Street.

The Legal Battle

Lisa told me the story of how she remortgaged her house and invested over €250,000 in renovating these dilapidated buildings, making them a vibrant part of the community. However, in 2019 after renovating a fifth unit, she was informed that the unit with the reception area, which was crucial to the business, was needed by the landlord for their own use. Lisa sought legal advice, only to discover that Irish law does not adequately protect commercial tenants. Determined to fight for justice and seek a change in the law, Lisa pursued the legal issues and even studied law herself, qualifying as a Barrister. However, in 2022 after lockdown ended, eviction notices for all the units followed and due to the pandemic and financial constraints, she had to liquidate The elbowroom business. Without funds to fight the legal case, Lisa had to settle out of court and was left with a large debt repayment.

The Current Situation

The closure of The elbowroom and the mounting legal debt have left Lisa in a difficult position. She settled a portion of the debt with family support, but still faces a remaining balance of €10,000, along with €6,000 in solicitor's fees. Lisa managed to secure new premises at Manor Picture House and buy back The elbowroom brand from the liquidator, but it required significant renovations to create a welcoming community hub in the area she loves so much. All done by borrowing more money to the tune of a €180,000 loan.

Your Support Matters

Are you or have you been a member of this amazing community of over 30,000 individuals supported by The elbowroom on your wellbeing journey, one of the 2000 families who received childcare or additional needs services, one of the 500 teachers trained by the organisation, or someone who benefited from their clinic, we kindly ask for your support. Every contribution, no matter the size, will help ensure the continuation of this vital community hub for future generations.

Let's make sure this is not the end of this story

Lisa Wilkinson's dedication to supporting the community through The elbowroom has been unwavering for over two decades. Lisa has been an activist for social change in both the Yes Equality and Repeal referendums as well as working with families and women subject to violence in the home and supporting other commercial tenants.

All the units she was evicted from were let out to other tenants which is a huge failing of the government in protecting small businesses. It would have been much simpler for Lisa to walk away from her lost premises. But she didn’t. She just motored on.

Now, she needs our support to overcome the financial challenges she faces. By rallying together and contributing what we can, we can help secure the future of The elbowroom and ensure that its invaluable services continue to benefit countless individuals and families. That that the community has a place to support mental health and wellbeing, that more services for children open up and that opportunities for teachers and employment flourish.

Let's come together and make a difference.