Every year, the Late Late Toy Show delivers something few television moments can achieve: a shared national heartbeat. For one evening, Ireland pauses. Children take centre stage. Kindness is amplified. And we’re reminded of our deep-rooted tradition of compassion, inclusion, and community.
The theme — imagination and storytelling — feels especially powerful this year. It celebrates children’s voices, diversity, creativity, and the joy of being truly seen. But while the Toy Show brings this magic to life for one night, Ireland’s charity and community organisations work tirelessly to create that magic every single day.
At Impact Ireland , we see this up close: domestic violence refuges, family resource centres, community groups, housing associations, and frontline charities who turn difficult realities into brighter futures. Their work reflects everything the Toy Show stands for — inclusion, safety, belonging, joy, and opportunity.
The Toy Show Puts Children First – So Do Ireland’s Charities
Many children watching the Toy Show tonight will also be navigating challenges no child should face:
• Poverty
• Homelessness
• Domestic abuse
• Food insecurity
• Isolation
The charities supporting them don’t make headlines – they make change.
Behind the scenes, incredible teams:
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Create safe spaces for children and families in crisis
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Support parents rebuilding after trauma
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Provide emergency accommodation
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Offer wraparound supports so families can breathe again
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Advocate for inclusion, diversity, and equal opportunities
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Build strong communities where children can learn, grow, and thrive
The Toy Show gives us a glimpse of a world where children matter and our amazing charities live that mission every hour of every day.
Imagination & Storytelling: The Heart of the Toy Show – and the Heart of Community Development
In the charity sector, imagination isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity.
It’s what allows organisations to envision:
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Safer, more secure housing
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Stronger and more resilient families
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More inclusive and connected communities
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Better systems of support
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A society where nobody is left behind
This imagination fuels strategic plans, Theory of Change models, and organisational development – the very areas where Impact Ireland supports charities to future-proof their mission and maximise their impact.
Storytelling is just as powerful. It helps organisations advocate, raise awareness, secure funding, and bring visibility to voices often unheard.
Community: Ireland’s Hidden Superpower
The Toy Show connects people in a way nothing else quite does: families gathered together, WhatsApp groups buzzing, a shared sense of pride in our children. It’s community that transforms programmes into outcomes – and outcomes into lasting change.
Charities operate from this same foundation – community.
They:
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Build partnerships across agencies, funders, volunteers, and boards
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Bridge gaps where systems are overstretched
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Create networks of support around families
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Carry people through moments that could otherwise break them
A Moment to Reflect
As the country enjoys the joy and colour of this year’s Toy Show, it’s worth pausing to appreciate the organisations and people who work year-round to make those same values real in the lives of children and families who need it most.
The ones who:
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Hold space for families in crisis
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Support children needing safety, stability, and consistency
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Build communities where imagination and opportunity can thrive
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Help families rewrite their stories
How Impact Ireland Consulting Helps Organisations Create This Magic All Year Round
We are privileged to work alongside frontline organisations across Ireland – and our role is simple: to help them strengthen, grow, and be future-ready.
Our support includes:
- Governance & compliance reviews
Ensuring your organisation is resilient, transparent, and fully aligned with regulatory and best-practice standards. - Strategic planning & development
Helping you set a clear direction anchored in impact, not guesswork – with achievable priorities and measurable outcomes. - Leadership development & board training
Building confident, aligned boards and leadership teams who can make good decisions under pressure. - Risk management frameworks
Creating clarity, accountability, and confidence in decision-making, so risks are managed rather than feared or ignored. - Housing & AHBRA compliance support
Specialist support for Approved Housing Bodies navigating regulation, tenancy management, property standards, and governance expectations.
If your organisation wants the coming year to be one of stronger governance, clearer strategy, and greater impact, we’d love to support you.