In June 2025, I was honoured to receive the IACFP Student Research Award for my Master’s thesis, “Exploring the Impact of the Community Based Health and First Aid Programme Among People in Custody.” This research was conducted in collaboration with the Irish Prison Service (IPS), the Irish Red Cross (IRC), and University College Cork (UCC).
The Community Based Health and First Aid Programme (CBHFA) is a collaborative initiative providing prison-specific Red Cross volunteer training to people in custody. This study examined changes in self-esteem, wellbeing, and locus of control among participants, while also exploring shifts in perceived community contribution over time.
Findings indicated statistically significant increases in both self-esteem and wellbeing. Reflexive thematic analysis identified four key themes: thinking of others, empowerment through education, the role of identity, and sense of community and connection. Self-esteem appeared to develop through a cyclical process involving education, experiences of success, and positive feedback. Improvements in wellbeing were similarly reflected across themes, with engagement in altruistic behaviour emerging as a particularly influential factor.
I presented this research at the Psychological Society of Ireland Annual Conference in November 2025. The findings have also contributed to international work with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in Geneva, supporting advocacy for the development of CBHFA programmes within justice and detention systems in other jurisdictions.
The IACFP Student Research Award had a direct and practical impact on my ability to complete this work. By alleviating financial pressures associated with part-time employment, it allowed me to dedicate greater time and cognitive capacity to the research process. This facilitated deeper engagement with the data and more critical reflection on my role as a researcher, including ongoing evaluation of my assumptions and biases.
This project also provided important learning experiences as both a researcher and an emerging practitioner. Examining peer-led rehabilitation highlighted the importance of democratising psychology within custodial settings, as well as the value of peer voices in reaching wider audiences in ways that professional groups alone may not. It reinforced the importance of empowerment-based approaches when working with highly stigmatised and socially excluded populations—an understanding that continues to inform my current work as an Assistant Psychologist within the IPS.
Following receipt of the award, I completed a Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy at City Colleges Dublin, an opportunity made possible by this financial support. This training strengthened my competencies in assessment, formulation, and evidence-based intervention, enhancing both my clinical skillset and my capacity to apply psychological theory in practice.
Beyond its academic and professional impact, the award was also personally significant. As a full-time student pursuing a career in clinical psychology, the pathway into the field can feel uncertain. Having my work recognised by the IACFP provided a strong sense of encouragement and reinforced my motivation to pursue research to a high standard, while continuing forward with greater confidence and direction.
Since receiving the award, I have graduated from University College Cork with First Class Honours in the Master’s in Applied Psychology (Mental Health). In my current role with the IPS, I continue to engage in data collection related to the CBHFA programme and feel privileged to further develop both my clinical and research skills within this context.
Overall, this research has contributed to substantial growth as both a researcher and a practitioner. It has deepened my understanding of the organisational and operational demands of conducting research within complex systems such as the IPS, as well as the importance of effective communication and collaboration across multiple organisations. I remain grateful to have worked alongside University College Cork, the Irish Red Cross, and the Irish Prison Psychology Service, whose work reflects these principles in practice.
Kate Foy
Assistant Psychologist
Irish Prison Service
