Community

Nationally known disability activist and community campaigner Comrade Dermot Hayes is about to publish his memoirs under the title ‘The Road That Rises - a memoir by Dermot Hayes, a boy from Kells’. Like many activists and volunteers, Dermot is a force of nature.

A new awareness campaign for Public Participation Networks (PPNs) was launched this week to encourage community groups to join and have their voice heard in local decision-making. The campaign also aims to encourage groups that represent young and marginalised people to join their local PPN.

The three-year campaign for a Family Resource Centre (FRC) in Erris, north-west Mayo, was finally brought to a successful conclusion on October 25.  Tusla CEO Bernard Gloster and regional and area managers confirmed to the local steering committee that funding was on the way for the long-awaited facility. 

An initiative founded by two women hoping to open up more outdoor spaces to children with additional needs was named the winner of the Champion Changemakers National Pitch-Fest in late 2022. Shamrock Squad Adventures, from RDI Hub and Dingle Hub in Kerry, received a prize bursary of supports and services valued at €10,000 to further develop their project. 

A KERRY boxing club that was established in 2006 to assist integration between youths from the Travelling and settled communities has become a knockout success. 

Officially launching the values and principles document, Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development, Joe O’Brien, said: “The publication of these values and principles copper-fastens the renewed relationship and partnership between government and the community and voluntary sector, which has been central in addressing the crises of recent times.”

Dún na Sí Amenity and Heritage Park is a true community endeavour - what was once a cow park has become one of Westmeath’s and the Midlands' most popular visitor attractions. An hour from Galway and 75 minutes from Dublin, it rates highly on Tripadvisor. Remarkably, the park which opened in 2015 is run by a dedicated community group and over 100 volunteers play their part annually - alongside staff - to keep the park running smoothly. KATHY MASTERSON spoke to three people deeply involved in the project.

Julia Syrotenko, Community Integration Worker with Wexford Local Development, came up with a novel way of helping her fellow Ukrainians to improve their English. Her Walk and Talk initiative has been a huge success in Gorey and surrounding areas. Together with a group of Irish volunteers, the Ukrainian refugees currently living in Wexford take part in weekly walks, which helps them to make new friends while practising their conversational English in a relaxed setting.