The Action

The project team chose this issue because they were shocked by the statistics relating to unhappy relationships and domestic abuse on a national and global level. The team found that unhealthy relationships and lack of understanding about what a happy relationship should be is a huge issue for young people today. They wish to promote healthy relationships and the qualities associated with them.

The project team utilised the power of social media and launched the #relfieworldrecord campaign. A ‘Relfie’ is a relationship selfie, taken with somebody you have a positive and happy relationship with.

The group set up an internet challenge asking people to post a ‘Relfie’ within 24 hours, to text #FUN for Mná Feasa to 50300 (with a donation of €2) and to nominate three others to do the same.  They raised awareness about the campaign, contacting and featuring in local and national newspapers, radio stations and on RTÉ news. They attended the YSI Den, receiving financial support as well as mentoring.

They also arranged a balloon launch representing the worldwide statistic that one in five women will experience abuse in their lifetime; 100 white balloons amongst 400 purple balloons represented the abused women.

The Impact

The #relfieworldrecord social media campaign was a huge success, going viral with over 1,000 posts in 24 hours, raising funds for Mná Feasa. As a result, the project team has applied to the Guinness World Book of Records for “the most selfies taken for charity in the one place”. The project team was also awarded the Young Social Innovators Funraising Award 2015. The team now plans to create a large billboard poster representing the ‘Relfies’.