Our Staff​

My name is Alan Meaney. I am the training and life skills officer . This is to support adults into training workshops and create an individual profile that will best suit the persons strengths . I started our clubs with a group of 6 in 2010 and now currently have 22 social groups with 240 children and young adults. I am trained in Mappa, Autism studies and Epilepsy training.

Anne is the Manager of the Charity Shop for Dóchas Midwest Autism Support which supports people with Autism. Anne is a founder member of Dóchas Midwest Autism Support. Anne has been a catalyst for the delivery of services to people with Autism through her previous roles in the organisation.

Anne has a son with Autism.

The Charity Shop Manager is responsible for all aspects of managing the Dóchas Midwest Autism Support charity shop.

Key Responsibilities

• Day to day running and management of the Dóchas Charity Shop
• Reports to the Centre Manager
• Management of retail assistants – CE scheme and volunteers
• Cash management
• Manage shop stock and organise layout of stock
• Manage all aspects of health and safety in the shop and stock storage areas

Jane is the Social Clubs Coordinator with Dochas Midwest Autism Support. She brings over 18 years of experience in the telecommunications Customer Service industry, where she supported clients across Ireland and worked extensively in complaints management, executive correspondence, and privacy quality assurance.

Throughout her career, Jane has been passionate about supporting colleagues and building positive, collaborative teams.

She holds a QQI Level 6 certification as a Special Needs Assistant and has completed Children First training. Jane has also volunteered with local schools through the Learn to Read Programme, as well as supporting children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

In her current role, Jane supports the delivery of weekly social clubs and works closely with the Social Club Team to organise engaging activities, including interactive social games, baking, cooking, sensory play, and free play.

Jane is deeply committed to working with young people and creating a fun, inclusive, and supportive environment where they feel comfortable, valued, and confident to be themselves.

John’s career began coaching rowing along with Strength and conditioning for rowers in St Michael’s rowing club in 2018. Once covid hit he moved into a different field where he worked in the addiction area. After one year working there an opportunity to work on Dochas came available and he swiftly moved into his current position where he now works with children and adults who have autism and guides them with exercise and fitness.

John studied in Tralee where he got his degree in Strength and conditioning along with personal training and health and leisure studies. John has a passion for working with Autism Inclusion / Awareness by educating and advocating for the autistic community. He will be available at Dochas on Parnell Street to meet with Parents / Guardians of children and adults who need support in health and well being along with exercise and fitness goals.

Lara Grufferty is the Arts Development Officer with Dóchas Midwest Autism Support. A graduate of Limerick School of Art and Design, she holds a BA in Fine Art – Print Contemporary Practice and a Postgraduate Diploma in Enterprise for Creative Industries, and is a former recipient of the Limerick Printmakers 12‑month residency.

Since joining Dóchas in 2022, Lara has helped shape the organisation’s creative identity. She manages Áthas Screenprint Studio, a creative enterprise launched in 2025 to support meaningful employment for the neurodiverse community, while also designing and facilitating inclusive art programmes, workshops, and sensory friendly cultural events for autistic children and young people.

Through a strengths‑focused, inclusive approach, Lara creates supportive creative spaces where autistic artists are valued contributors to the cultural life of the centre.