Upcycle with St. Canice’s Credit Union: Inspiring Creativity, Social Responsibility, and Long-Term Relationships
Local engagement has always been at the heart of what we do at St. Canice’s Credit Union. We’ve long been committed to creating meaningful connections with the communities we serve, especially the younger generations. Initiatives like the Credit Union Art Competition and Schools Quiz have provided fantastic platforms for students to showcase their talent, creativity, and knowledge. But as we continue to evolve and grow, we were excited to introduce a new initiative designed to tap into the passions and interests of today’s youth: Upcycle with St. Canice’s Credit Union.
In the spirit of social impact and sustainability—values that resonate deeply with younger generations—we launched this upcycling competition for second-level students. The concept was simple but powerful: students were tasked with taking old, unused, or broken items and transforming them into something useful, beautiful, or even both. The projects were submitted along with a video, and the results were nothing short of inspiring.
We were absolutely thrilled with the volume and creativity of the entries. From hair clips to lamps, students displayed a level of ingenuity that exceeded our expectations. The submissions were more than just practical items; they told stories, shared messages about sustainability, and brought new life to old objects. This competition wasn’t just about the end result—it was about the journey, the process, and the passion behind each project.
The winning team, consisting of third-year students Hazel Sherwood and Shona Manning from Kilkenny City Vocational School (KCVS), truly impressed us. Guided by their teacher, John Burke, they created three bins to collect bottles for the ReTurn scheme, a fantastic contribution to sustainability at their school. The video they submitted, showcasing their process and passion, really spoke for itself. We couldn’t have asked for a better example of how upcycling can make a difference in both practical and environmental terms. You can view their hard work on our social media channels. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCzMzahScjQ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
However, the creativity didn’t stop there. We were so impressed with the effort and talent displayed by the students at Coláiste Abhainn Rí in Callan that we decided to award them an additional prize of €1,000. Under the guidance of their dedicated teacher, Joanne Bibby, the classes went above and beyond, creating not only exceptional upcycled projects but also incredibly creative and engaging videos that showcased their work. When visiting their school the feedback was that they really enjoyed creating their projects almost as much as we enjoyed viewing them.
At St. Canice’s Credit Union, we believe that competitions like these do more than just foster creativity; they encourage social responsibility, collaboration, and a strong sense of community. Through these initiatives, we aim to build long-term relationships with the younger generation. We hope that these students will not only be participants in our competitions but will become active members of our credit union, supporting and benefiting from being a part of a financial institution that cares.
Looking ahead, we are excited to continue growing this competition year after year. Our goal is for Upcycle with St. Canice’s Credit Union to become a staple event in the calendars of second-level schools in the communities we serve. We’re looking forward to watching it evolve into something that continues to inspire, connect, and empower young people for years to come. Stay tuned for next year’s competition—you won’t want to miss it!