Spotlight On Students and Staff

Declan Treanor

When you enter the new Disability Service space in Printing House Square, you get the sense that this is a calming, organised space.  There is a welcome lack of blaring overhead lights and noise.  Plants and mossy artwork are dotted around the offices, which they all share in a communal booking system.

Declan Treanor, Disability Service Director set out to make their space fully sustainable from the outset when they made the move into the new premises.  They have no printers in the building, no bins at desks, they use digital notebooks and have an office structure that reflects their sustainable ethos.  Staff are on a scheduled rotation to make sure everything is powered down at the end of the day. 

They have a particularly inspiring outlook around food – they share food, cook for one another and encourage people to bring food from home.  Their kitchen area has posted reminders of sustainable practices, easy composting and nice facilities for coffee.

Most importantly, says Declan, none of this takes away from their experience at work.  It adds to a sense of community and teamwork, and pulling their weight when it comes to climate change.  Their commitment is infecting other areas of the college now, too.  Dr David McGrath across the way has started to implement some of Declan’s sustainability strategies in the College Health Centre. 

Declan and his team are living the Disability Service's Sustainability Charter on a daily basis.  Well done to Declan and his team for inspiring us and leading by example!